That said, simply submetering is not good enough. Under ’submetering’ you could just put in water meters and send people out once a month or two to read them visually, so that what you gain through metering you lose in inneficiency. The better way to do it is to install what’s known as a fixed-network automated meter reading system. Properly done, such a system provides near real-time reports of consumption. Let me put it another way, you wouldn’t want to only have access to your bank balance once every couple of months, would you? Same thing for water. You should be able to know how much water you’re using on demand, maybe even compare your household to the neighborhood average.

Kudos to councilperson Emerald for the proposal, now let’s just hope the rest of the council go along with it.

“Councilmember Marti Emerald’s office has been working on this issue since Jan. 25th. After several calls from constituents regarding the sinkhole at Lake Murray’s San Carlos Bay, council staff contacted Lakes Supervisor Nelson Manville, at which time Councilmember Emerald requested a temporary path be constructed and barricades removed to restore access to the many people who use the path/service road for recreation. Councilmember Emerald further requested a fast track for the permanent repair.

The following morning, Jan. 26th, Supervisor Manville responded that he would provide further information for both a temporary repair and a permanent solution. Councilmember Emerald met with Manville on Jan. 28th to see the damage first-hand and discuss implementation of those repairs.

The news release was sent on Feb. 3rd because that’s when we had a chance to go out and take photographs of the work done so far.

I hope this information is helpful to your understanding of the Councilmember’s actions.”

My response: I didn’t report that Ms. Emerald did not make a request, nor complain about the timing of her news release. I stated that the Water Department had begun the repair process before Marti Emerald made her request and that it’s not correct for her press release to say that she ‘got the fix’ for her constituents.

“Councilmember Marti Emerald’s office has been working on this issue since Jan. 25th. After several calls from constituents regarding the sinkhole at Lake Murray’s San Carlos Bay, council staff contacted Lakes Supervisor Nelson Manville, at which time Councilmember Emerald requested a temporary path be constructed and barricades removed to restore access to the many people who use the path/service road for recreation. Councilmember Emerald further requested a fast track for the permanent repair.

The following morning, Jan. 26th, Supervisor Manville responded that he would provide further information for both a temporary repair and a permanent solution. Councilmember Emerald met with Manville on Jan. 28th to see the damage first-hand and discuss implementation of those repairs.

The news release was sent on Feb. 3rd because that’s when we had a chance to go out and take photographs of the work done so far.

I hope this information is helpful to your understanding of the Councilmember’s actions.”

My response: I didn’t report that Ms. Emerald did not make a request, nor complain about the timing of her news release. I stated that the Water Department had begun the repair process before Marti Emerald made her request and that it’s not correct for her press release to say that she ‘got the fix’ for her constituents.

Kate and Josh have played that on a course in north Goleta.

Sounds fun. Great article.

BTW, my favorite memory of the SD Union-Tribune – I went with Josh’s 5th grade class on a field trip to their offices (which was fun and interesting) but the best part was seeing a poster of Steve Garvey on the wall with the words “Father of our Country” on the bottom.

I used to deliver the L.A. Times in my 20’s (middle of the night, yuck) but since that time I have not read it much…