Re: 'McPhee will get his chance' [Letter, Village News, 11/11/10]

“Take a look at Rainbow and its operation and water rates, and I think you will see we have a pretty good operation.” Well Al [Gebhart], there was a time when Rainbow probably deserved its reputation, but not anymore.

As a public agency, we are probably more transparent in our interaction with our customers than most districts. A good example is our customer committees that advise the Rainbow board. Do you have anything remotely like that?

Why don’t you explain your deal to sell water to JPower, Inc., which is outside your service area, while at the same time requiring your own customers to cut back?

As for water rates, FPUD’s own website says your monthly fee for a one-inch domestic meter is $45.37; Rainbow’s charge for the same meter is only $34.43. Your base domestic rate is $3.52 per unit; Rainbow’s is $2.43. Since both districts use different volumes for “units,” it breaks down to $.0035 per gallon for FPUD and $.0032 per gallon for Rainbow.

You might want to get your facts straight before you throw your neighbors under the bus.

Rua M. Petty

President

Rainbow Municipal Water District