Roundup editor Pete Aleshire continues to obfuscate the issues to aid and abet the re-election of Mayor Kenny Evans and his cronies. His recent editorial about the Tower Well and water becoming campaign issues included these gems:
"Water conservation has emerged as a major issue. That’s just kind of weird, since that’s the one important problem we seem to have solved."
"Granted, Payson still has to finance the last $30 million cost of building the Blue Ridge pipeline, which in 2015 or 2016 will deliver 3,000 acre-feet annually — more than doubling the town’s water supply."
"Clearly, providing 100 or 200
acre-feet annually to the country clubs or letting people who can afford
the impact fees to put in swimming pools won’t threaten the water
supply."
"Granted, we hate to use drinking water on golf courses during the extra year or two it’s taking to get the pipeline water into town. But that seems like a footnote to an otherwise win-win deal for the town and the country clubs, which contribute significantly to our economy and our community."
"So we’ve got lots of great topics for a spirited election debate. That makes more sense than continuing to fight the last war — when everything has changed."
Here's what some of the Roundup's remaining readers had to say about Aleshire's editorial and a companion article about the Tower Well (Don't miss Don Evans' comment at the bottom.):
Pat Randall 4 days, 19 hours ago
The water problem is not solved until we have Blue Ridge water running into our homes. Pray the lake don't run dry before the pipe is laid.Barbara Rasmussen 1 day, 21 hours ago
How anyone can state that the water problem has been solved is beyond my comprehension!!! There is no pipeline even built yet that will supposedly carry the water from Blue Ridge (CC Cragin Reservoir) into Payson and from what is being reported no money to build that pipeline unless lots of people build swimming pols and the Town collects a lot of $$$ in impact fees. The reservoir is dangerously low now and the Verde River is once more dry because the pumps have been shut off. So how is the problem solved of water supply solved? If anyone doubts how low the reservoir is now drive up and take a look at it or drive out along the Verde River plain and simple the water is just not there!!!robbin flowers 3 days, 23 hours ago
The Tower Well has pumped about 600 acre-feet from Star Valley’s water table in the past four years and it is plausible that this pumping is at least partially to blame for drying up Mayfield Canyon and Houston Creek.How can either side prove yes or no without solid scientific evidence. It is also plausible that water from the Tower Well to irrigate the golf courses and over-pumping from the well has caused bacteria from shallow septic tanks in Star Valley to show up in drinking water wells. Since, "most of these pockets of water have only a tenuous connection with one another in the complicated layers of crushed granite and clay beneath the surface." But they do in fact have a connection none the less. Some to later or lesser degrees.
"Officials from Payson and Star Valley dispute most of those claims." Yes, that is the game, this way nothing need by done by any party. Everyone stands around pointing fingers stating "He did it." or "Not my fault."
"Moreover, the country club wells may have dried up springs in Mayfield Canyon, but the Tower Well would not have contributed to that problem (then and there maybe it did) and would not currently affect Houston Creek since the well levels remain stable." Good for now, the well levels are stable because they are using the water before it gets to the underground then above ground tributaries.
"Moreover, the arrival of 3,000 acre-feet annually from the Blue Ridge pipeline in the next few years will dramatically change the whole water supply situation for both Payson and Star Valley." At the disadvantage of the town goyim as currently designed.
"Members of the Star Valley Town Council have generally agreed Payson has not over-pumped the Tower Well and that use of the well has only a temporary impact on other wells nearby." Based on what evidence?
Concepts of "water farming" doesn't involve using water for golf courses. Golf courses do not build water sheds.
"Roberson conceded that once Payson completes the Blue Ridge pipeline the water table will rise." Prove it.
"Those bills showed Payson pays $3,000 to $4,700 monthly for power used by the Tower Well." How is the money for the well electricity expense collected, are the tax payers supplementing the electricity for the private golf courses?
"However, the rest of the town council has since concluded the Tower Well poses no threat." Based on what evidence?
"Mayor Kenny Evans said water levels in the Tower Well have remained stable for the past four years, despite the impact of one of the worst droughts on record." I assert this is temporary, and it is very plausible the levels will not remain stable.
"Mayoral candidate Randy Roberson has accused the current mayor and council of over-pumping the Tower Well in part to irrigate the golf courses at Chaparral Pines and The Rim Club." That wouldn't surprise me one bit.
"Roberson noted, “when the country clubs first opened, their primary sources of groundwater was the Calhoon Ranch Well. The creek that for many years had a regular flow in Mayfield Canyon stopped flowing. The trees along what had been a creek all died. In short, the habitat died and is still dead today. The Calhoon Ranch Well also now does not provide the volume of water it once did.” This sounds like a first hand visual and account of change that is linked to the ground water pumping in combination with drought conditions.
"A few of the wells show a visible decline in water levels. Others show a noticeable rise. Most bounce around, but remain relatively consistent." Interesting, why?
"However, the arrival of the Blue Ridge water will transform all those calculations." Because that is what "could" happen?
"Payson will suddenly have far more water than it can use." If the Blue Ridge doesn't dry up! Payson must water to a “beneficial use” to protect its water rights under the terms of its agreement with the Salt River Project. Water Farming is a good idea.
"Payson also plans to create a stream running down the American Gulch as an additional way to get Blue Ridge water into the water table." Cool. Who is going to pay for it? Who will profit from it?
don evans 3 days, 21 hours ago
Robin, what a clear and accurate presentation of your observations and some facts. Your questions are spot on. For me, the way the paper article is written, it's smoke and mirrors, lets confuse them with our numbers. I said a long time ago that selling the Cragin water project as a panacea water solution to the people of Payson was pure political and financial hype. And, it is also to assuage the water concerns of future residential and commercial developers. Funny how all this supposedly good news is released by the junta just before the election period kicks into gear. Nah, that would be another conspiracy theory on the local level. SOOooooo, the Town of Payson has paid for and installed water lines that run down Hwy 260 so as to be connected to that elusive college that has never materialized and probably never will. So what project will receive the benefit of THAT Cragin water? I suggest looking at who owns the land parcels that would benefit from no college at that location. I might also suggest to be on the look out for "Shell Corporations" so as to conceal the real identity of the true owners. But that's another kook conspiracy theory I would suppose.....