PSB Strategic Planning Meeting

I wasn't able to make today's meeting - the first time not to do so in several years. A friend took notes for me. I'm expecting the slide show presentation from the EPWU's Public Information Office. I will post it for you and continue discussion next Monday.

After visiting with my friend, three general points can be made:

First, the public was missing! What is the biggest challenge El Paso faces? Water. We are in the most serious drought since 1951 when the City was guided by wiser persons. There were two newspapers back then: the El Paso Times and the El Paso Herald Post. Water was their daily front page story. The public positively responded to the creation of an independent water utility. 

But today? The public remains uninformed about the seriousness of the water issue. Besides the Consumer or Citizen Advocacy seat on the Board (now held by Chris Antcliff), the key player to be there for the people is the Mayor. Mayor Leeser was absent.

The second point is that, in spite of the public's disinterest in what the PSB/EPWU does, the PSB/EPWU is strategically planning ahead. I'm not going to go into all of the presentation now. However, it was clear that, under John Balliew, our water utility is making very wise choices. But don't think that you shouldn't be involved. As a first suggestion, ask your City Rep to have all building and landscaping codes reviewed and updated with the conservation of water in mind. Also, let's get a Charter Amendment that takes the fate of the PSB/EPWU out of the hands of City Council.

Finally, all of us in the conservation community need to begin doing a better job of educating the public, our city government and our business community. We've been preaching to the choir too long.