To the editor:
This letter is in response to the letter from Mr. Dick McGrath criticizing Diking District 1 Commissioner John Shepard and the CSUBC organization.
As long time Sunlight Beach property owners our family has considerable knowledge of dike district operations. It has been understood that Diking District 1 has operated generally without regard for due process requirements. This mode of operation was enabled and to some extent encouraged because the actions of the district were for the most part benign. However, this is no excuse for a public district to operate outside the requirements of the law.
Our attention and that of others was drawn to the district when it foisted upon some Diking District 1 property owners large assessments for a $450,000 pump project for which benefit was never properly established or the cost fairly spread. Further, this action was taken without proper and required legal notice.
I have personally attended Diking District 1 meetings and have witnessed the board majority dissemble and coverup the motivations behind their actions.
Having been a member and/or staff to city councils, commissions and boards, I can easily recognize an out of control board when I see one.
The efforts of John Shepard to bring to light the transgressions of Diking District 1, rather than being criticized, should be commended and supported.
His actions have in particular addressed the serious detrimental effects on the maintenance of the wetlands under the stewardship of Diking District 1.
As an example of how a member of a public district should act, John Shepard is to be commended for scrupulously separating his responsibilities as a Diking District 1 commissioner from any actions or positions taken by the CSUBC.
To those who have followed the actions of Diking District 1 over the past couple of years, it should come as no surprise that the district’s actions have been overturned by the Corps of Engineers and are also being challenged by lawsuit filed on behalf of district property owners.
Allen L. Goodman
Clinton
