In a recent Letter to the Editor, Mr. Michael Tenenbaum once again illustrates the he is living in the past and allowing his prior frustrations and vendettas to spill over with outlandish if not bizarre accusations. Perhaps his landslide loss in a prior water district election has something to do with his outrageous and misleading statements. It is disappointing to see a professional engineer sink to such low levels. Engineers are generally known for basing opinions on the facts rather than fiction.

Mr. Tenenbaum made false references to the 1998 state comptroller's report. The audit report found only minor deficiencies and did not indicate any misconduct or improper activity as Mr. Tenenbaum indicated. The district undertook prompt action to address the recommendation made in the 1998 comptroller's report. A rational individual reading the aforementioned comptroller's report would come to a far different conclusion than what Mr. Tenenbaum's outlandish accusations state.

The Water District has been progressive and instrumental in using numerous consultants aside from the H2M Group. Other firms have been hired to provide professional engineering services that are best suited based on aptitude and experience. Such firms that have been retained and are still providing professional service to the district include Bowne, LKB and J.R. Holzmacher, LLC.

When residents raised concerns about the implementation of the design for a retaining wall at supply well 2-1 located on Donna Drive the board of commissioners immediately reviewed the project. As a result, the construction of the wall was immediately stopped on Feb. 16. When the construction began the Water District held a public meeting for the community. A new rendering was developed and the Water District recently held another public meeting to review and inform the community.

It is important to note that the prior and the current board of commissioners were instrumental in setting the water district on the right track by instituting short and long term plans that proactively safeguard our vital water supply while carefully considering the financial impact to the ratepayer. The prior board has instilled the importance of always acting proactively within the water district and the community we serve. As residents are well aware, the water district has an established national presence on the fight to ban MTBE and to protect our supply wells from the same. Funding has been set into place to install early warning and data collection monitoring wells at all of our facilities so that the water district can provide planned effective proactive wellhead treatment.

The protection of our water supply and concern for the community has and always will be the top priority of the Plainview Water District. We are proud of our community and of the water district's record as it relates to the integrity and management of our most precious natural resource.

In closing, Mr. Tenenbaum needs to get over his frustrations of his past political failures and channel his energies in a more productive fashion.

Edward Shulroff, Chairman, Plainview Water District

Kevin Langberg, Treasurer, Plainview Water District

Joel Kessler, Secretary, Plainview Water District