Final Notice - La Habra Heights Water Board Election Today, November 3rd

La Habra Heights - The usually quiet, uncontroversial La Habra Heights Water District election proved different this year. Issues of Perks, Pay, Emergency Preparedness, and Maintenance were discussed via mailers, news articles and on-line forums. Voters have a clear choice between Candidates on these issues. Pay & Perks Record releases by the Water District showed that Board members had been charging alcohol and high priced meals to Water District Customers, bringing spouses to meals and hotels, and spending expensive weekends at local hotels rather than commuting. In a Whittier Daily News article, candidates Cooke and Heintz admitted inappropriate spending, but did not volunteer to repay the District. Candidate Edwards stated that such spending was a betrayal of the public trust. Board members not only receive their $100 Stipend for monthly Board meetings, but also for attending Water District related functions, at the discretion of the Board member. On Pay & Perks, Cooke and Heintz are in favor of continuing them, while Edwards rejects them and will not accept them if elected. Generators The issue of Emergency Generators also generated differences. Brad Cooke and Jeff Heintz point to four portable generators the District purchased in 2001. None of the generators are automatic. The two generators that would serve the City if power were cut off in a wildfire, outage, or earthquake, are at the District headquarters and would have to be transported and hooked up by specialized personnel. Edwards says that Generators should be permanently installed and automatically activated in order to serve their intended purpose, and paid for with current budget. Agricultural Water and Recycled Water George Edwards proposed consideration of Agricultural Water Rates similar to what had been done in the past. Users would have a separate meter to irrigate Avocado trees and other crops, and pay a lower rate. This would use the same infrastructure that exists. Edwards is opposed to recycled water. Jeffrey Heintz proposed looking at Recycled water for irrigation and fire fighting in his candidate's statement. This would require installation of a new Pipeline system, tanks and pumps to bring it in. In a later statement, Heintz said that reclaimed water is uneconomical. Vote ! Polls are open Today from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.