Letters To The Editor

Vera Water and Power story was misleading

We read the article (Sept. 9 Valley Voice) concerning the problems we are experiencing with a section of our underground cable, with interest and subsequent disappointment. The problem inherent in this older type of cable is serious to our customers and to our staff, as well.

We had anticipated that the article would accurately reflect the problem. Also, we had hoped that our customers and other Valley power users who experience the same difficulty, would be made aware of the efforts that are being made to permanently eliminate this problem.

Unfortunately, your article omitted the most important aspect of this story, the accomplishments and efforts that have already gone into solving this problem.

For example: a completely new conduit system has been installed in the neighborhood mentioned in the article, and almost half of the new electric cable is already installed and operating. An investment of nearly $250,000 of ratepayer funds has been invested in restoring reliable service to this one area.

Many other areas have been rebuilt over the last decade, with more in the design and construction process, right now. This is not a problem that has been, or ever will be ignored or overlooked!

In addition to the omission of this information, the article contained one important factual error which needs to be corrected. You referred to Vera Water and Power as a private company. This is not the case. Vera is a public utility owned by our customers. If Vera were a private company, owners or shareholders could then be asked to share in the costs of this project. But since Vera is a non-profit publicly-owned company, all costs of such a project must eventually be home by the ratepayers.

Thank you for the time and interest you have shown in this story. It is important to all of our customers. In the future though, we hope that articles regarding Vera can and should be more accurate and complete. Kevin Wells General manager, Vera Water and Power, Veradale