To the editor:

After submitting false and misleading information to obtain the initial permit for the Useless Bay pump project, Diking Commissioners Ray Gabelein and Steve Arnold have just done it again.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently asked the diking district whether or not they were still pumping water out of the wetlands during the summer months.

The two commissioners responded that the large pump has not run since May 21, 2009. They neglected to inform the Corps of Engineers that the small pump has been running and successfully further dewatering the wetland area during summer drought conditions.

At the August 2009 diking district meeting, I pointed out that their response was false and misleading. Nevertheless, they elected to outvote me two-to-one and have now deliberately sent in their deceitful response.

Commissioners Gabelein and Arnold, it is about time that you start telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. But since you aren’t under oath, I guess you don’t have to.

John Shepard

Commissioner

Diking District No. 1