To The Editor:

At last week’s meeting of the East County Water Control District Board of Commissioners, I wanted to yell out “where’s the beef!” You remember the popular 1984 commercial where Wendy’s compared it’s burger to others. Wendy’s won the add war because it spoke the truth. Customers were tired of being lied to and wanted a real beefy taste.

For 11 years I have tried to do the same in speaking the truth even when it hurts other people’s feelings. Why? Because that is what I was elected to do, to ask the tough questions and demand answers for the people. When an issue comes before the board, I always want to know the who, what, when, where, why, and the how of something and I am prepared before meetings in making sure that the tough questions are asked of staff and ready to vote once I listen to my fellow board members.

I can attest that running office is a lot easier than governing. However, once elected I have tried to take a futuristic approach to governing, always keeping my eye to the future and to think out the ramifications of the decisions made. That is why I was so forceful in calling out the political shenanigans that are going on in and out of the district at that meeting.

The most contentious issue for the last decade that the district has faced has been regarding the building of an administration building. Since I was elected in 2000, we have discussed five different proposals counting the February 28 visioning session and have spent close to $500,000 on buildings that have never been built nor purchased as of today.

So where’s the beef? Where’s the building? Sadly nowhere as of today.

The board on a 3-2 vote with myself and Commissioner Mike Bonacolta voting no, decided to delay yet again and revisit the issue in a workshop meeting to be scheduled at a later date. Mind you this was only 45 minutes into our one monthly meeting and two of the five board members wanted to discuss the proposal for a little while longer.

Warren Buffet the great financial expert recently wrote a letter to his shareholders talking about the market was turning around and it was time for his company to move forward in attaining other companies before the prices got to high. Coupled with other forecasters and analyst the time of dragging out feet is over.

Two years ago was a great time to buy or build at the rock bottom part of the market. Today is better than yesterday, but to wait six months to a year before we break ground on a building will cost the district more money and in the end the you the taxpayers more during tax season.

I will allow my fellow commissioners to meet and hash out their special designed building that suites them in a special meeting, and I will be ready at the board table at a regular meeting to either vote yes or no based on the merits of the proposals in front of me. The time of waiting is over.

Desmond Barrett

Lehigh Acres