Letter to GCW&S Customers - February 25, 2008

"The Pre-Sell Letter of a Proposed Policy Change"

This letter was sent to GCW&S irrigation customers in an attempt to explain the features & benefits of taking over the backflow inspection program and also to notify their customers that there would be a public hearing held on March 13, 2008.

Coastal Observer - March 20, 2008

"Utility Wrestles with Irrigation Tie-ins"

This article was wrtten by Charles Swenson after the the Public Hearing and Board Meeting, on March 13, 2008, to report about GCW&S closing the loophole of the "grandfathered" irrigation meter owners. Also, how the GCW&S was attempting to put me and other private testers out of business.

Report by GCW&S Committee - April 3, 2008

"Cross Connection Committee Recommendations"

These recommendations were presented to the GCW&S Board at it's April 10, 2008 meeting. It was supposedly based on extensive research on other municipal water companies who have taken over thier own Cross Connection Control programs. As far as I know there are only three (3) such utilities in the State of SC that presently do this.

CO - Letter to the Editor - April 10, 2008

"Proposal helps District, Not Homeowners"

This letter was written by me in response to the GCW&S's proposal and my own recommendation on the notification and enforcement of their backflow/cross-connection program.

CO - Letter to the Editor - April 10, 2008

"Protecting the public is top priority"

This letter was written by Bill Schwartzkopf who is Chairman of the GCWSD Board.

Request for Bids - April 20, 2008
Pre-Bid Conference - April 28, 2008

"The Bid Proposal for Backflow Program"

The Request for Bids was published in The Sun News on Sunday April 20, 2008 and the Pre-Bid Conference was held on Monday, April 28, 2008. I attended this meeting which only served to reinforce my opinion that the GCW&S was orchestrating this whole 'Request for Proposals" in order to be able to spin a story later on that they "...had tried to find a contractor who could provide a better service." If you read this proposal you will see that it is highly restrictive (insurance requirements) plus gives all the responsibilities to the contractor with no real financial gain if gauged by their already published and proposed pricing parameters.

Bid Opening - May 5, 2008

"My Letter to the Committee"

I submitted this letter to the Bid selection committee in lieu of a bid proposal. My decision not to submit a bid proposal was based on few factors namely my own committment to being self-employed for the past 34 years. Plus, it would have felt too much like I would be going over to the "Dark Side" and deserting my current and future customers!!

GCW&S Fee Increase Letter - May 14, 2008

"GCW&S Notification Letter"

This letter was mailed on May 14, 2008 during the morning or early afternoon of the same day. It was not until that evening that the Board of Directors approved the recommendations of the Committee.

Letter to the Editor - May 22, 2008

"Utility dictating who can inspect valves"

My response to the obvious attempt to put me out of business by the inclusion of the following statement in their fee increase letter of May 14, 2008. "The District will not accept any agreements entered into after May 19, 2008."