Tag archives: sanitary

MWD & MSD Collaboration 
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   May 24, 2022

Last week we outlined Montecito Water District’s (MWD) Strategic Plan, which includes collaboration with Montecito Sanitary District (MSD) to bring recycled water to Montecito, as well as a possible merger between the two special districts. MWD and MSD Planning Committees met jointly last month for updates on two collaborative projects that are being co-funded by […]

A Response to Water and Sanitary Districts Consolidation
By Montecito Journal   |   April 26, 2022

Bob Hazard’s recent piece, “Should the Montecito Water and Sanitary Districts Consolidate?” needs a host of corrections, out of respect for the intelligence (and ratepayer costs) of the citizens of Montecito, particularly Water District customers. As part of the “Montecito Water Security Team,” Hazard praises a number of studies – MORE STUDIES – on studies […]

Should the Montecito Water and Sanitary Districts Consolidate?
By Bob Hazard   |   April 19, 2022

Last week, the Independent published an editorial titled, “Merger in Works for Montecito Water? Push to Combine Water and Sewer Districts is Solution Without a Problem, Critics Say.” The implication in the Independent editorial is that there is no good reason for the Montecito Water and Sanitary districts to challenge the status quo, to study […]

The Privatization of Our Water is a Bad Idea, as is Combining Districts
By Robert Roebuck   |   May 6, 2021

The Community Voices article in the April 15 edition of the Montecito Journal by Charles C. Read and Eileen White Read attempted to identify the motive for suggesting that the Montecito Water District (MWD) and Montecito Sanitary District (MSD) should merge.  However, it reminded me of what someone told me several years ago. That person […]

The Essential Services Building: A Necessary Investment
By Thomas Bollay   |   October 3, 2019

by Thomas Bollay, President and Tom Kern, Treasurer of the Montecito Sanitary District Board. For others, particularly our specialized workers who have tolerated inadequate facilities for years, the process has taken far too long. We write today as individual members of the Montecito Sanitary District Board, not to express an official board position, but to […]

What’s Up in the Sewer System?
By Bob Hazard   |   September 26, 2019

The question before the Montecito Sanitary District (MSD) Board and its Montecito community of ratepayers is whether or not it is a good idea to spend nearly $6 million in ratepayer funds to build an office building for three employees and a receptionist. On the surface, spending $6 million on an office building for four […]

Montecito at the Crossroads
By Judy Ishkanian   |   November 1, 2018

Your choice for the Water and Sanitary District (MSD) candidates in the Tuesday, November 6, election will decide what kind of Montecito will be rebuilt from the debris and destruction nine months ago. A few months ago, I spoke to the Montecito Association at “public comment” time about the need for unity while the community […]

Board Opening at Montecito Sanitary District
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   October 25, 2018

Last week, Montecito Sanitary District announced a vacancy on its Board of Directors, after it was announced that director Warner Owens would be stepping down from the board after moving out of the District.  The District is inviting interested parties to submit their written resumes for the position by Wednesday, October 31, before 4 pm. […]

Incumbents Needed
By Dick Shaikewitz   |   October 25, 2018

In last week’s Montecito Journal, newly elected water directors inaccurately castigated me for over half a page, but again failed to explain how they plan on paying the $7,000,000 a year in new costs they want the District to incur, except by increasing your water bills. They still have not said why, when it takes […]

A Troubling Series of Events
By Montecito Journal   |   October 25, 2018

Something smells at the Montecito Sanitary District, and its not coming from the sewage. On Monday, October 15, Warner Owens, a long-time, never-elected member of the Sanitary Board announced his resignation, effective immediately. Less than 24 hours later, the “Notice of Vacancy in Office” was posted “By Order Of the Board of Directors of the […]

Why I am Seeking Re-Election to Montecito Sanitary District Board
By Bob Williams   |   October 18, 2018

When my wife, Carolyn, and I moved to Montecito, a primary goal of ours was to volunteer and give back to the community. We have since given of our time to local nonprofits and community organizations supporting the community of Montecito. When told of an opening on the Montecito Sanitary District Board, I expressed that […]

Experience That Matters
By Woody Barrett   |   October 11, 2018

by Woody Barrett, Dana Newquist, Ken Coates, Brian Goebel and Cori Hayman The Montecito Water and Sanitary Districts are defined as special districts, each led by a five-person, publicly elected board of directors. According to the handbook for special district governance and operations, board members must “serve the best interests of the community, provide services […]

The Water Union
By Dana Newquist   |   October 11, 2018

Montecito has been my home since 1984. Like most, I sought this paradise that has been adopted by many for the natural beauty and semi-rural charm we cherish. Montecito is a magical place. After selling my Chain of Computer Stores in 1985, I sought another venture that I would enjoy. For me, joy comes from […]

Why I am Running for Montecito Sanitary District
By Woody Barrett   |   October 4, 2018

I am running for the Board of Directors of the Montecito Sanitary District because I want our neighborhoods to have a diversified and secure source of water for the safety and well-being of our community. Montecito deserves water security. Our family has called Montecito home going on 18 years. Our children all attended Montecito Union […]

Discovering Essential Services
By Judy Ishkanian   |   October 4, 2018

A few years ago, Jean Paul Cousteau spoke at a CASA Conference (California Association of Sanitation Agencies). He said that he was one person who could claim that he was raised on the Seven Seas. He was home-schooled by his mother on the Calypso. He said that it was always a thrill to come into […]

Election 2018: Sanitary District Voters Have a Choice
By Bob Hazard   |   October 4, 2018

On November 6, Montecito voters will go to the polls. This year’s ballot contains an extreme rarity: a contested election for the Montecito Sanitary District (MSD) Board of Directors. For the first time in anyone’s memory, voters will choose among four different candidates running for two MSD seats. Why is this unusual? Because since 2000, […]

Stepping Closer
By Montecito Journal   |   September 20, 2018

I would like to thank Dr. Edo McGowan for clarifying his position on recycled water with the residents of Montecito (“Water Warnings,” MJ #24/37). As quoted last year, he supports recycled water “as long as it’s done properly” (“It’s Where the Future Lies…” by Melinda Burns, Edhat and Independent, June 8, 2017). His words of […]

Montecito Sanitary District Latest
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   September 20, 2018

At their meeting on September 17, the Montecito Sanitary District (MSD) Governing Board received a report from its Public Information Committee, which comprises board members Bob Williams and Jeff Kerns. The committee met on September 14 to discuss concerns regarding information that has been in the press and in paid ads that make it appear […]

Mud in Your Eye
By Judy Ishkanian   |   September 20, 2018

Hello, from Judith Ishkanian. Surely nobody expected Mother Nature to inundate Montecito with mud and debris nine months ago. But she did, It has been a remarkable experience for Montecito residents ever since. According to the Sanitary District records, 10 percent of our population is off-line, whether because of total ruin, major repairs, disruption of […]

Why I am Running Again
By Dick Shaikewitz   |   September 20, 2018

I, Dick Shaikewitz, am an incumbent Montecito Water District (MWD) director since 2006, holding a business degree from Northwestern University and a law degree from Washington University. I practiced law in Southern Illinois; primarily doing litigation. Montecito has been my home for 21 years. I served six years as a Montecito Association director. The Music […]