The Pinehurst Village Council has started a campaign to convince its citizens that buying the water system from the county is in their best interests.
In November we will vote in a non-binding referendum to borrow millions of dollars to purchase something we already own. Buying something you already own is less than bright.
If we purchase the system will services be cheaper? No, fees will go up to cover debt service.
If we purchase the system will the water taste better, be more pure or more reliable? No, Pinehurst will, no matter who owns the system, continue to get its water from wells, from Southern Pines, from Aberdeen and from other counties through contracts with the county.
Will the system be better maintained? Not necessarily. MCPU has spent $1.7 million upgrading our system the last two years and has $4.7 million budgeted for future years. No matter who owns the system, the customers will pay all expenses.
The council obviously wants to control the water system within Pinehurst, and there is an easy solution to allow this. Create a Pinehurst water district within MCPU. This district would have many advantages over buying the system. It would cost nothing to create. MCPU remains intact. Economy of scale is maintained. No need to set up separate operating organizations, one for the county and one for Pinehurst.
All money collected from Pinehurst water users would go into the district account. All expenses for Pinehurst would come from the district account. No worry about subsidizing others. Pinehurst could control the rate of upgrading the system.
Creating a Pinehurst water district within MCPU is the obvious way to proceed. I suggest the Village Council work with the county to accomplish this cost-free solution rather than assuming millions of dollars of debt.
Jack C. McVey
Pinehurst
The length limit on letters was waived to permit a fuller discussion of the issue.
