Published: December 02, 2008 10:37 am            

A Reader's View: Further explanation on Waltonville water issue

Editor:

Your news story about the argument at the Rend lake Conservancy District concerning the past Waltonville mayor and the district needs further explanation.

In the story you stated that board member Keith Ward asked Mr. Gifford if Waltonville provides water to Nason and marks the price up. By asking the question, Mr. Ward would have us believe that Waltonville is doing the same thing that Mt. Vernon is doing. Not true!

I am the mayor of the little village of Nason, and I can tell you the real story.

Yes, Nason is a part of the district.

Yes, Nason pays taxes to the district.

Yes, Waltonville sells water to Nason and at a 20 percent markup.

No, Waltonville is not taking advantage of Nason.

Yes, Waltonville at their own expense built their water line to us, not the other way around.

Yes, Waltonville has even helped us repair water line leaks when we couldn’t handle them.

Yes, Waltonville is helping us get water because RLCD would not provide water service even though they have a pipe running nearby.

Yes, I believe Waltonville would be glad to let us out of the contract at any time if we asked. And

Yes, we are getting gouged for water, not by Waltonville, but by that larger city to the north.

So you see, things may not be exactly as some may lead us to believe. All of us Nason folks thank George Gifford and the Village of Waltonville who helped us get water when others couldn’t.

Jack Dent

Mayor of Nason

        

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