Ratepayers Picked Up the Tab for Mesa Water's Fiduciary Fumbles: Looking Back to 2013

Note: This story was posted February 13, 2013 under the headline "Commentary: Mesa Water Drops Fiduciary Duties as Ratepayers Pick Up the Tab."

By Debbie Cook

Special to the Surf City Voice

Over the past several months I have been trying to get to the truth behind Mesa Water District’s obsession with Poseidon Inc.’s proposal to build an ocean desalination plant in Huntington Beach.

Since 2009, the water agency has gone from a typical local water provider to become the State’s biggest booster of ocean desalination, spending tens of thousands of dollars in cash, resources, and staff time for a project that makes zero business sense.

So I spent the last week perusing Mesa’s board agendas. I now have a better understanding of the cause of the agency’s new found love affair.

First and foremost, you need look no further than Mesa’s general manager, Paul Shoenberger.

Paul Shoenberger General Manager for Mesa Water District

Prior to his employment at Mesa, Shoenberger worked for Los Angeles County’s…