Katherine Borges: Gilman will help Salida get water

Re “MID voters face a tough choice, but Wenger has edge” (Page 2B, Oct. 29): It is disappointing that Sunday’s Bee editorial criticized Stu Gilman for his pledge to help Salida residents secure surface water as part of our long-term water supply. Farmers and Modesto city residents utilize both surface and groundwater for their water supplies. Salidans should be treated with equal respect.

Instead of congratulating Gilman, The Bee speculates that he is proposing an expensive new water treatment plant when that is not necessarily the case. Since he has lived both in Salida and Modesto, he can assist in breaking the political logjam that has prevented the city of Modesto from serving Salida with surface water because the existing MID-city plant has excess capacity. Or, if additional surface water is needed to convince Modesto to help Salida, Gilman can help secure this water source from his perch at the MID. While both candidates are qualified to serve, Stu Gilman is the candidate that has best demonstrated that he cares about Salida’s future.

This story was originally published November 2, 2017 at 4:51 PM with the headline "Katherine Borges: Gilman will help Salida get water."