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Letters to the editor

Regarding the water issue

To the editor:

The heading that proceeded the article in last week's Williams-Grand Canyon newspaper read: "Search for new wells leads to old mistake."

The "mistake," the writer said, was discovered during the land negotiations with the Pouquette family for possible future well locations. The writer goes on to say that our attorney "mentioned" that he and a water attorney questioned if Williams was, in fact, inside the correct ground water basin.

Before I go on, wouldn't you think that the $13 million that the city has spent so far would have gotten them the same information that we obtained? We also engaged a well-known water attorney and, between them and SRP, came up in no time that Williams was, in fact, at fault in forcing upon us this sale to them of our land for the purpose of drawing water from our property. We did not, of course, spend millions, but "only" thousands. Yes, a large mistake has taken place. A mistake that has caused us sleepless nights and thousands of dollars that we could ill afford.

My question to my girls has always been, "How can it be that all the brain power represented in the city council, business men every one of them, could make such a monumental mistake?"

They had no answer.

The writer of last week's article said, "There would be no real incentive for us to put another well there" and yet goes on to say that "members of the Williams City Council, however, would make a final decision on the Pouquette land." So, what is the decision that still has to be made?

I, for one, have always wanted Williams to have all the water they needed. My family of daughters and nieces, however, went ahead with many headaches to be sure everything was done with integrity and accuracy. They have done well. We all felt betrayed by the "eminent domain" takeover, but I am a part of Williams and I want the best for her. I pray for our council members to be diligent and to do their job with an intrepid energy and honesty.

Edith Pouquette

Williams


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