By Mary-Justine Lanyon
Emotions ran high at the April 22 meeting of the Lake Arrowhead Community Services District board of directors.
Prior to calling for public comment, President John Wurm addressed those attending in person and online.
“Just because you have the right to make a comment doesn’t necessarily make that comment right,” Wurm said. “In my opinion, comments that disparage any individual generally do not advance the cause of the person who is speaking.
“We’re a small community,” he continued. “You could see the person you’re speaking about at the post office, at the grocery store. And even though you may disagree with that person on certain matters, everyone should be treated with respect.”
The first speaker was ratepayer Michael Schultz, who often addresses the board at the monthly meetings. “We the residents of Arrowhead Woods have a vested interest in our drinking water and our community,” he said. “And our water company, LACSD. The biggest issue is the constant battle with PFAS and false information coming from a website known as Arrowhead Woods Informed.”
Schultz was followed by George Hatt, who posed a question to President Wurm: “Every month Michael Schultz comes here and reads the same old b——t. Why do you let him come in and do this every month? This isn’t a public place where you can spread lies.”
Because Hatt spoke somewhat heatedly, Wurm issued a caution: “Let’s calm down. There is the First Amendment. This is a public meeting of a government agency. There’s an opportunity for the public to speak to the board.”
Garin Vartanian had raised his hand online. He asked Wurm who “drafted” his preamble. “Was it at recommendation of counsel?” he asked. Wurm responded “they are my words only.”
At that point Vice President Steve Boydston spoke up. “We are not going to run these meetings like a circus or carnival. We’re very lenient on letting people get us and ask questions. We’re not here to answer questions off the cuff. Most of the employees have the expertise to answer questions. It’s better, if a question is asked, to have it answered at a later time, in an email or in writing on the website.
“As for getting up and making comments,” Boydston said, “we’re very lenient compared to a lot of other boards. That leniency can stop if we feel people are getting out of control or have no basis in any kind of reality.”
Boydston added that, a number of years ago, he had been sent to an LACSD meeting by his lieutenant, to make sure no one got out of control. “We had a board at that time that didn’t have the respect of the ratepayers. People were heated. I asked someone to sit down and not talk.
“We’re not going to run meetings like that. We need meetings that are controlled and respectful. We’re all neighbors. We don’t want anything to pour over onto the mountain. No good comes of that when people lose their tempers. We need to calm down. We need to stick with the facts as we know them or can prove them.”
Attorney Joseph Byrne, who serves as counsel to LACSD, added that “public comment is not a question-and-answer period. Some questions asked lately are more like cross examination. There is not an obligation to respond although the board is trying to be very friendly and supportive of the community and has responded when they can. We will get back to people, whether it’s at the time or not.
“I would advise everyone to refrain from using personal names. If things get out of hand, the board has the discretion to remove people and to cut off public comment. It’s not a blanket First Amendment right to say whatever comes out of your mouth.”
In his first quarter report, Engineering Manager Scott Schroder said the new corporate yard is close to completion – the drywall is in and is being mudded and taped. Painting is about to start. The electrical contractor is about to finish its work.
Staff has raised more than 200 paved-over manholes and added a composite sealed lid and concrete collar. They are sliplining old concrete pipes at seven locations and have completed 315 linear feet of sliplining and lateral replacement.
The rehab of Well #5 is complete and the rehab on Well #6 began on April 22; the hope is for it to be complete at the beginning of May.
Field Operations Manager Nathan Porter displayed a map showing the district’s valve and hydrant maintenance. He explained that staff starts in the first section of the map and then rotates clockwise around the lake.
Operations Manager Matt Brooks reported that first-quarter water consumption was down 5 percent compared to 2024. Water withdrawal from Lake Arrowhead was also down – 44 acre-feet less than in the same period of 2024. He attributed that to the additional CLAWA water purchased to blend with Lake Arrowhead water.
Brooks said he is looking forward to meeting with firefighters over the coming weeks to discuss hydrants, maintenance and how pressure zones vary from one street to another.
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