Re: John Sterk, candidate for East Wenatchee Water District Commissioner, position 2

Dixied — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:58:31 -0000

I about choked when I read Commissioner Sterk’s reply to the WBJ question “what are your top three accomplishments as East Wenatchee Water District Commissioner?"

1. Becoming a member of the EWWD board and becoming president of the board.
2. Overseeing current construction of the Baker Flats Reservoir.
3. Becoming a member of the board of directors of the Washington Association of Sewer and Water Districts.
It appears Sterk's main accomplishments have been self-inflating and egocentric. Not one of his answers has any value for ratepayers dealing with inadequate and antiquated water systems. Sterk seems more interested in “Being Somebody,” having expense paid trips to Las Vegas, receivescompensation from the EWWD, in the form of FULL medical coverage costs of $800.00, $104.00 per EWWD meeting, and other personal benefits.

WBJ asks what three things you hope to accomplish in the next term if elected.
1. Successful completion of the Baker Flats Reservoir (1.5 million gallons).
Commissioner Sterk never even set foot on the Baker Flats proposed annexation until a few months ago. Although he was flown over in a private plane by the EWWD manager Greg Brezendine and one of the developers involved in the annexation.
2. Safe drinking water with ample supply and balanced comprehensive planning for future growth as water supplies are available.
Commissioner Sterk was in full agreement with other commissioners when pushing forward the East Unit Annexation of over 4000 acres (yes, the annexation was begun before he became commissioner but he SUPPORTED every step of if it after becoming elected). There was no consideration for water availability, “Don’t worry there is plenty” was the scientific data from the District. This annexation if allowed, yes Commissioner Sterk, and his comrades on the WASAD (Washington Association of Sewer and Water Districts) are still trying to push it through even though it has been shot down in Superior Court, will cost EWWD ratepayers tens of thousands of dollars in upgrades, unimaginable amounts according to an email from EWWD Manager Greg Brezendine.
Sterk and his fellow commissioners denied one property owner water outside of the district, after his well had run dry because if one is allowed in then more will want in. A week later Sterk and his long time friend and fellow EWWD Commissioner Mike McCourt agreed to give Calvin White water to 32 lots outside the district for a proposed development. This is not comprehensive planning but Good Old Boys Gone Wild.
3. Balanced budget continuation.
Yes, the EWWD budget seems solvent so much in fact; they are borrowing over a million dollars from them selves to finance the Baker Flats Annexation that was supposedly not going to cost ratepayers. Possibly that money could be better-spent upgrading lines that are decades old, leaking, rusty, and inadequate. Instead, it will be spent to subsidize lines for new development.
Commissioner Sterk's record of accomplishments with ratepayers that question the District is not much better that his business aspects. Reverend Sterk made the Wenatchee World Worm in 2007 for accosting two elderly ratepayers who had questioned some of his actions. Sterk verbally abused them from the EWWD meeting room, through the foyer and into the parking lot. He not only was aggressive, but slanderous and cruel to the ratepayers that crossed his path. Since then he has threatened to begin charging one elderly ratepayer for attorney costs if he continued to ask the EWWD questions they had to hire an attorney to answer. The EWWD commissioners and manager then shut the public meetings off to ratepayer questions and comments.
A quick check of the Wenatchee World archives will show that Commissioner Sterk has had a long history of aggressive, self-serving, and pompous behavior. This is not the kind of person the EWWD needs as a commissioner. The EWWD need leadership that is prepared to calmly, respectfully, and honestly represent the needs of the ratepayers and be willing to answer questions in truthfully and with courtesy. The commissioners and manager of the EWWD seem to have forgotten some where along the line that they are the employees of the EWWD ratepayers and that they have no ethical or reasonable right to be rude or cruel to any ratepayer at any time.

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Re: John Sterk, candidate for East Wenatchee Water District Commissioner, position 2