By DAVID HAZELTON
I have from time to time thought of cancelling my subscription to the paper. I continue because it's interesting to see which side of the word processor OBSERVER Publisher John D'Agostino will write from each day. It is anti-government at any level or regionalism at any cost?
The OBSERVER's View May 6 confused me. The view applauds the Fredonia board for cutting down the tax rate.
Part of that cut is due to the fact that Fredonia has decided to drop out of Chadwick Bay Development.
That move single handedly sets regionalism back in the north county more than any item in years. It was a leap of faith to look to a regional water system that is, at best, 15 years away when our own system is functioning but needs attention.
When one of the two main population centers pulls their support, it is probably the end of any hope for a regional system.
Your next comment regarding the cost of water is also misguided.
I know many people who have poor quality or inadequate water who would gladly pay double the $2.92 per 1,000 gallons to have safe, plentiful water. I venture that even you have bottled water in your fridge.
If you bought it on sale, you paid about $1 a gallon.
Next, you compare the cost of local water to Arizona. Never doubting your accuracy, I looked into it.
The reason that Arizona has inexpensive water is that Lyndon Johnson and Barry Goldwater got together back in the '60s and dug a 300-mile ditch to divert water from the Colorado River.
I bet if the people of Arizona had to fund that little item, instead of the federal government, the cost of water might be different.
Please pick a direction. If it's anti-government at any level, great. Stick to your guns. We can then decide to agree with you or ignore you. If it's regionalism at any cost, great.
But recognize that regionalism will require long-term commitment from governments at every level.
David Hazelton is the Brocton mayor.
