"One may choose many paths of comfort but surely comfort is not vacating the center of oneself bound by  time and space."Deanna    

                                 HISTORY TO REPEAT.

          Unresolved Business between Mr. Willis  and Mr. Milligan. 

ARGUMENT: The Municipal Valley Water District failed to Deliver adequate amounts of water to San Bernardino in 1964. If this is the case, why do we trust the District with any promises to service "water"in the future? The Municipal Valley Water District is the water master and has the authority to increase your property taxes and water bill without your vote. What is your point of view pertaining to the powers of the Municipal Valley Water District and how they spent your money? What is your point of view in adding cities of Orange County using the water of our Bunker Hill Basin?

ARGUMENT: The people voted for the water to stay in San Bernardino on Tuesday, April 28, 1964. If this is the case, why would the people of San Bernardino sell the water downstream today if the people voted against joining the Metropolitan Water District in 1964? Why would the citizens of San Bernardino take the risk of jeopardizing health, financial, and growth and why would the people trust the District knowing the District's history dealing with a water shortage? Finally, how many cities are considered the downstream? If Muni is the water master of a dozen cities in San Bernardino County how many cities will the Bunker Hill Basin be shared if Orange County is included.   If for example, Orange County also has a dozen cities than the basin will be shared by two dozen cities or twice the amount. Than, how will that affect the growth of our cities in San Bernardino County and cost of water for each city? If Muni is the water master for Orange County how can Muni stop their water service in the event of a severe drought? In other words, how can you stop the folks in Orange County from flushing their toilets? What will be the consequences of the cities being serviced by Muni in San Bernardino County and Orange County?

THE PEOPLE VOTED APRIL 28. 1964 "NO" water stays in SB.

People said: WATER MUST STAY IN SAN BERNARDINO and WATER IS MORE VALUABLE THAN GOLD. The reader can examine the water level data of 1964 through 2005.-click: Latest News.

Crusade for Water and for Truth.

(MWD = Metropolitan Water District of Los Angeles)

(MVWD = Municipal Valley Water District or MUNI)This section of the website is the author's research pertaining to the water crisis in San Bernardino 1964. The materials of the research are from various sources and Harold Willis, former SB water commissioner. The material is available to the reader upon request to verify the research as valid. The reader may question what has 1964 to do with 2006? The water crisis of 1964 is more relevant today and absolutely essential and crucial to have our water for our own use. The crisis is so serious because the bunker hill basin is shared with other neighboring cities and we must not sell the water downstream. The water is more valuable than gold and selling to the people downstream can cause us great injury. The water must stay as it is in the Bunker Hill Basin for our own future growth and the cities under the Municipal Valley Water District's control. For example, the future of our cities  and selling downstream is irresponsible and cause health, financial, and growth risk. The North Lake reservoir is irreversible, and exploitation of our natural heritage is indefinite, and a financial injury to all. Mr. Patrick Milligan, President of the Municipal Valley Water District, was one of five hundred volunteers to work for "YES" Votes on Water. The reader must not be confused because "Yes" on water is to vote for San Bernardino to join the Metropolitan Water District. The people of San Bernardino voted against "Yes" on water because they wanted the water to stay here. The forces who wanted to have San Bernardino join, and the Metropolitan Water District was defeated significantly. If the measure was passed in favor, the Metropolitan Water District of Los Angeles would NOW be in control and examining the treatment of other cities by the Los Angeles Metro the outcome of the vote on April 28, 1964 was prudent and wise.

Principal people and companies who favored the union with Metro Los Angeles, in 1964, were the following: Sun Telegram , Patrick Milligan of the Municipal  Valley Water District,   Mayor Mauldin,  Carpenters Union, Chamber of Commerce, the School District,  A-Merle Session, William E.Leonard, Rabbi Norman Feldheym, Philip M. Savage, M.D. Mrs. DanielYoung, Monsignor John P. Bland, Dorothy Inghram, Jack Carney,Ralph Velasquez, Dorothy Inghram, Ernest Martin, Gordon Fields, Mrs.Daniel J. Young, E. Dana Brooks, William R. Leonard, J. Mario Porras, Rev. Luther Schwartzkoff, Jack Carney, Jack Coyle, Herbert S. Mitchell, Ed Fisher, etc.

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The author points out most of the dominant elite and people in power wanted to join the Metropolitan Water District. The people of San Bernardino opposed and desiredthe water to stay in San Bernardino. Now, after forty-two years we have a repeat in history selling our water downstream. The North Lake project repeats history and the players in power play; a similar game as those folks did in 1964. 

THE DAILY SUN WAS THE MAJOR  SUPPORTER TO JOIN  THE CITY TO THE METROPOLITAN  WATER DISTRICT.

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The information below is to point out that the Municipal Valley Water District was not able to service San Bernardino with adequate water. The following are the facts the author examined:

(Remember vote "Yes" on water is to join the MWD and to vote "NO" is to keep the water in San Bernardino.)

The opinions of those in favor of the Measure: Join the MWD of Los AngelesVote Yes Tuesday, April 28, 1964

FACTS ABOUT OUR WATER SUPPLY. 40% Water Cut Back ordered Starting October 01, 1964. The day of reckoning is less than seven months away! No longer can San Bernardino take all of its water needs from nearby springs and creeks and from wells in our great underground reservoir. This water year the City of San Bernardino is pumping out of the basin approximately 24,000 acre feet of water. In 1951 other cities using the same underground basin went to court claiming that San Bernardino, due to its growth, was taking out more than its legal allotment of water. The courts ruled against San Bernardino. Then began a 10-year legal battle for a reversal. Now all legal action has been exhausted. San Bernardino is under permanent court order to cut back to 14,625 acre feet of water next October 1, 1964. This means that you -- the home owner, the worker, the housewife and children - together with factories and businesses -- must all cut back your use of water by 40% in just seven months time -- unless we can find a new source of water.

NO RELIEF POSSIBLE FROM VALLEY DISTRICT. The San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District is the agency now primarily responsibly for solving the water shortage for the entire valley, which includes the City of San Bernardino.

The Valley District has been spending in excess of $1,000,000 a year -primarily in legal action, but also in attempts to buy or rent water - in order to get more water for the City Water Department. Up to 1964 more than $3,000,000 have been contributed in tax monies to the District to bolster their efforts. Approximately 40% of this money has been paid by the City of San Bernardino. TO DATE, THE VALLEY DISTRICT HAS BEEN ABLE TO GET THE CITY JUST 800 ACRE FEET OF WATER PER YEAR . . . A DROP IN THE BUCKET COMPARED TO THE TOTAL NEED. The earliest substantial relief offered by the District is 1972 if the Feather River State Water Project is completed on schedule. But the City can't wait until 1972 . . . or later . . . to get the water it MUST HAVE NOW!

24,000 RESIDENTS SIGN WATER PETITIONS

24,000 residents signed petitions to call an election for the City of San Bernardino to the deannex from the Valley Municipal Water Department. The Valley District Board of Directors refused to call this election, as they were legally required to do. Therefore, it has been necessary for the citizens of San Bernardino to go to the 4th District Court of Appeals and ask the court to force the District board to do what they should have done in the first place -- call an election to let the people of this city withdraw from the V alley Municipal Water District. Despite the arrogant actions of the District Board of Directors with the exception of Jose Bonadiman who has fought hard for the City's rights, voters will have their chance to solve the big issue --WATER, and how we can obtain it, before the October 01, 1964-deadline.

CITY COUNCIL TAKES EMERGENCY ACTION FOR WATER ELECTION. Because of the urgent need for water now, our city council on the advice of its city attorney, special water counsel and the city water board has called a special water election for the purpose of annexing to Metropolitan Water District on Tuesday, April 28, 1964. It had been hoped  an election could be held simultaneously to withdraw from the Valley District which cannot meet our needs -- at the same time we vote to join the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which can meet the need. The Valley District, however, feared the loss of part of its water empire, even though it cannot meet the need, has seen fit to fight the petition in the courts and thus avoid a simultaneous election. This means we must all work twice as hard -- first at the election to join Metropolitan Water District and alter at a second election to withdraw from the Valley Municipal District which to date has been able to get for this city just 800 acre feet of water per year.

METROPOLITAN WATER AVAILABLE TO CITY NOW. The unanimous conclusion of the City Water Department, independent engineers and legal authorities, and the Water Action Council is that the only adequate source of more water new is the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Metropolitan is not using its full allotment from the Colorado River for domestic and municipal uses. The water is available for San Bernardino for the asking right now. Feather River water, when delivered to the south land, also will become available through Metropolitan. What is more, we can get the water cheaper through Metropolitan than we could through the Valley District. Metropolitan has agreed to permit the City to join it and thus obtain all of the water San Bernardino needs, starting immediately -- the only alternative is a 40% cut back and waters rationing.

From the author:  The District has responsibility to service San Bernardino and other cities, however, selling downstream will cause great injury to those who look forward in maintaining good health, financial prosperity, and population growth.

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VOTING RESULTS

Registered voters: 38,922 Total votes for measure: 25,085 Population in 1964: 100,300

*Please note: In 1964 there were five wards in the City of San Bernardino.

Yes ( to join with the Metropolitan Water District of Los Angeles)

No (the water must remain in the Bunker Hill Basin - opposing the invasion of our basin by the Metropolitan Water District of Los Angeles)

YES NO

Ward one 1163 votes 1997 votes

Ward two 2836 votes 3744 votes

Ward three 1,269 votes 2564 votes

Ward four 3,532 votes 3486 votes

Ward five 2,286 votes 3208 votes

ARGUMENTS AGAINST CITY MEASURE.

The following argument for and against the city measure to be submitted at the special municipal election to be held in the City of San Bernardino, California on April 28, 1964, have been filed with the City Clerk pursuant to Article 4, Chapter 3, Division 4 (Sections 5010 to 5014, inclusive of the Elections Code of the State of California)

ARGUMENT OPPOSING MEASURE (The people won and the water remained in our basin)

As City Councilmen consistently opposing an invasion of our basin by Metropolitan Water District, we urge your "NO" vote April 28th.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE "JOKERS"

No water guaranteed.

Demands will exceed supply from Colorado River by 150,000 acres - feet in 1965 say Metropolitan Water District General Manager Skinner. In fact Metro may ration before

1970. Entitlement is based on the amount of taxes an agency has paid.

But Taxes are guaranteed.

Back Taxes (initiation fee) of $13,854,000 payable in 30 yearly installments of $461,800 means adding 33cent to tax rates.

Current tax of 14c by Metro adds approximately another $210,000 annually.

Minimum estimated cost for pipeline connecting Upper Feeder and other necessary facilities

$5,922.00 ADD another 14c.

GRAND TOTAL - 61c, an increase of 37% in cities’ tax rate.

THINGS YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TOLD

By annexing "corporate area" in place of a municipality, promoters evade protective provisions of city charter and state constitution requiring 2/3 majority for bond issues and debt limitations. This means your "NO" vote prevents assumption of Metro present bond issues of nearly $200,000,000.

THINGS FORCED BY YOUR "NO" VOTE:

----City forced to use available local water.

-----Water Board forced to set realistic rates to save water now wasted.

___City forced to reopen Orange County Suit modifying judgment.

In addition, millions of dollars will be saved by use of high quality Feather River water instead

of Colorado River water with one ton of salt per acre foot.

In summary our advice is not to yield to the threat of water rationing carefully calculated to scare the voter into this ill-advised annexation.

No matter what you hear we are not going to "dry up."

We will continue to grow and prosper with your help.

Vote "No" on April 28th.

Signed DRUSCILLA SECCOMBE

Councilman 1st ward

ALAN E.GUHIN

Councilman 5th Ward

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE. (For joining the Metropolitan Water District of Los Angeles) The dominant and dictatorial powers lost the votes invading our Bunker Hill Basin.

Your city council hired the noted Water Engineer, Thomas Stetson to develop the facts which led us to call an election Tuesday, April 28th. Highlights of these engineering facts are as follows:

PEOPLE AND LAW SUITS REDUCED WATER SUPPLY.

There is not enough water in the UNDERGROUND BASIN for a GROWING SAN BERNARDINO and other cities in Riverside and Orange Counties. Once water spouted from artesian wells. TODAY THE WATER TABLE IS DOWN 160 FEET. Orange County cities went to court to determine each city’s rights to water in this basin. San Bernardino was ordered to cut

back to the amount we were using 17 years ago. For 13 years we fought clear to the State Supreme Court at a cost of $2,000,000 – and lost. The court edict stands – the cut back will be enforced starting October 1st of this year.

40 PER CENT CUT BACK UNLESS WE VOTE "YES".

Our city must cut back pumping of the underground basin by 40 per cent. (Almost half) of our need for 1964-1965...unless we join Metropolitan and solve our total water needs. That means water rationing for every resident of San Bernardino!

ANSWERS TO THOSE WHO OPPOSE "WATER NOW"

Some suggest we wait until the Valley Municipal Water District can deliver Feather River Water due to arrive in 1972. But even they admit that there would be water rationing between now and 1972!

Others say that joining Metropolitan is "too expensive" They quote costs in millions. Actually the cost to the owner of a $12,910.00 home would be just 5 cents a day in water and rates.

PROTECT HOMES, JOBS,.....VOTE YES

Water rationing means dried up lawns, depreciated home values.

Water rationing means loss of industry and jobs.

Prevent water rationing ...Vote "YES" Tuesday, April 28.

SIGNED JESSE ARIAS, JR.

Councilman, Third Ward

KENNETH A. JOHNSON

Councilman, Second Ward

ROBERT G.HUMPHREY

Councilman, Third Ward

Conclusion from the author: The people voted "NO" invading the Bunker Hill Basin by Metro. Water is more valuable than Gold because Life cannot be without Water. The water must stay in our basin and not to be exploited by the Municipal Valley Water District.

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Harold Willis was one of the three civic leaders who headed up the successful fight of the Water Truth Committee against the annexation of the City to Metropolitan Water District. Now, forty years later he is fighting to stop the Municipal Valley Water District from selling the water to the folks in Orange County using our Bunker Hill Basin.

                                      The  Water Truth Committee  

   "Truth" takes over operation of San Bernardino's water program.

Argument: What happened when the people  voted for the water  to stay in the  Basin opposed to invading the Bunker  Hill  Basin by the Metropolitan Water District? Who were the leaders fighting the measure and led  the Water Truth Committee into a victory? What happened  to the three water commissioners of  San Bernardino after the people  voted "NO" and won victory for the Bunker Hill Basin?

After the vote on April 28, 1964 a brand new water policy for the City of San Bernardino was assured by the resignation of all three former members of the Board of Water Commissioners and their replacement by three civic leaders  who headed up the successful fight of the Water Truth Committee against annexation  of the City to Metropolitan Water District.

The new members were: W.R. "Bob" Holcomb, prominent attorney , who was chairman of the Water Truth Committee. Mr. Holcomb was to  be the president of the board. His term will expire in  1969.

Mrs. Harold Chandler, co-chairman of the Water Truth Committee and immediate past president of the League of Women's Voters. Mrs. Chandler has long been a student of the water problems, not only of the City and Valley but of the State and the Southwest.

Harold Willis, treasures of the Water Truth Committee. Willis was a prominent dairyman and businessman of the City. Mr. Willis was the senior member of the Chamber of Commerce's water committee in point of service and has long been active in water matters.

The appointments were  made by the Mayor Donald G. "Bud" Mauldin and confirmed unanimously by the City Council within a period of a week. Other names were suggested but it was the consensus that those responsible for a new water program by San Bernardino should be in charge and have no barriers in their way during the months ahead.

In a formal statement Holcomb indicated that a Citizen's Advisory Committee  will be appointed immediately to work with the new board. He also that a broad and general statement of the policy which will guide the board is in the making and will be issued in the near future.

"We have every reason to expect the reason to expect the united support of all except a few die hards in our efforts to assure the city that there will be no water rationing, that local water will see us through until the arrival of the Feather River supply for the north, and there will be an ample supply for all needs, including growth."  said Holcomb.

Further, the very heart of our policy will be to try and undo the economic damage which has already been done by depicting the city and the valley as a WATER DEFICIENT AREA.

"We are going to adopt a positive approach -- one that assures business, industry and the home seeker that not only is the supply adequate, but they are fortunate to be in a city and a valley that has a reliable source for all time, of the very highest  quality and at a price so reasonable both tax wise and water wise that they are in  Southern California's true "green spot" said Holcomb.

The formal statement of Holcomb follows in full:

"With the appointment by Mayor Donald G.Mauldin of Mrs. Harold Chandler as the third member of the Board of Water Commissioners of the City of San Bernardino, and ratification  of her appointment by the City Council, your new board is complete and is now prepared to organize and take the initial steps beginnings its  constructive program to arrange for an adequate and assured present and future supply of water for our city. We wish to thank Mayor Mauldin and the Council for their highly commendable decision to permit those who oppose a policy of annexing the corporate area of the city to MWD to take over the full  responsibility of  seeing that the new policy will  be in the hands of those who proposed it and who were supported at the polls by the overwhelming approval of the voters."

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So, the new water board assured a new water policy for San Bernardino and Harold Willis worked to keep the water in the Basin opposed to Patrick Milligan who worked to join the City with the Meteropolitan Water District in 1964.  The rest is up to the reader to discern the False from the Water Truth Committee  and respond accordingly examining today's crisis with the San Bernardino V alley Municipal  Water District.