Christmas wish: healing for Pine-Strawberry

By Deb Schwalm
Water for Pine Strawberry

Just recently, the Pine-Strawberry Town Hall Meeting scheduled for Dec. 19 by Tommie Cline Martin, was rescheduled to Jan. 16, 2014. 

I don't think the Gila County Board of Supervisors realizes just how vitally important it is to deescalate the emotions in the Pine-Strawberry community over the water issues. Allowing time to pass for a cooling off period through delaying and postponing doesn’t serve the best interests the community. If anything, destructive ESCALATION will continue in future months. Although we don't fully understand the priorities of Gila County Board of Supervisors schedule (and there is the hectic holiday season), we believe Pine-Strawberry water issues are critically important for defusing a divided community.

The “blame game” tactics used in the Pine Strawberry Water Improvement District (PSWID) board members' resignation letters accusing Sam Schwalm, board member, and me, Deb Schwalm, as the reason for the recall and the resignations is clearly a strategy to avoid public accountability and rejection as well as shifting focus. Addressing some recent newspaper articles and some content of the resignation letters:

·       Sam has been involved with the Pine-Strawberry water issues since 2008 and has never had any connection with (Robert) Hardcastle (Brooke Utilities).

·       I have only recently become involved in the water issues since the Mike Greer fraud issues in November 2012.

·       Sam NEVER has shared PSWID board information or confidential information with me or anyone.

·       Sam doesn’t tell me what to say or think or write - I have my own thoughts and feelings about the water issues.

·       The WaterforPineStrawberry.com website, created in 2008, was initially created by Sam, but since becoming a board member, Sam had no involvement with it.

·       Sam's motivation is only for contributing to the overall good of the Pine-Strawberry community.

The resigning board members’ accusations against Sam Schwalm are mostly very vague in nature and a common thread is citing “misinformation” and being “non-professional” but never any issues which can be disputed because FACTS would be involved. There are FACTS to back up the reasons for the recall cited by RECALL PSWID BOARD Committee. (See recall video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxisE1Z0ZpQ). Deep down, the resigning board members know they have responsibility for these issues but can’t admit it and like to be in control. The consequences of their unethical behavior and hurtful choices while serving on the PSWID board have resulted in severe consequences for the Pine Strawberry community. 

If the election is delayed until November 2014, it will cost the Pine-Strawberry taxpayers much, much more to pay the salary of a consultant to oversee the district until an election can be held (i.e. John Nelson, Consultant, $220,000 spent during last recall).  Erik Mariscal, Gila County Elections Director, has stated that a special election for May 2014 would cost no more than $20K. During the last recall, Ray Pugel, Ron Calderon, Richard Dickenson, Gary Lovetro and Mike Claxton were not concerned with the cost. Overwhelming community support for the recall proves the community IS INVOLVED and wishes to see our district run BY our community and FOR our community. The recall effort of the PSWID board was being successful; over 400 Signatures had been collected in only 21 Days - not a small part of the community. 

The Gila County Board of Supervisors has the authority under ARS 48-1012 and 48-1016 to not only dissolve the PSWID Board at any time, but they also have the option of calling for special elections or even appointing members. The PSWID Board must consist of at least THREE members. There are better options than hiring a consultant until the November 2014 elections.

Two less expensive options to taxpayers rather than hiring an interim PSWID consultant until November 2014:

·       May 2014 special election (decision from GCBOS by January 21, 2014)

·       GCBOS appointment of a third person to the PSWID board (with non-resigning board members, Tom Weeks and Sam Schwalm)

Our water company has many issues such as leaking water tanks, leaking meters and wells that need to be reconfigured and brought back on line. Putting these issues on hold doesn’t serve the highest good of the community. The citizens will continue to be more divided and emotions will continue escalating, despite any “cooling off period”. 

Pine-Strawberry needs to move forward NOW with an effective, trustworthy, caring and community-focused PSWID board. Our community stands for citizens speaking their truths, creating atmospheres of trust, allowing community empowerment and enabling conflicts to be reasonably and peacefully resolved. Our fractured, mountain community urgently needs resolution for its healing and recovery.