The following story was posted on the Central Oregon Daily website (View Story Here) in addition to a live report on the Jan 16th 11:00 pm newscast. As always, we will comment on each section and give what we believe is the true telling. This will be a long one so buckle up. As always, feel free to comment at the bottom of the page.
“Many homeowners in the Terrebonne Estates neighborhood were given a letter this week saying they would have to pay at least $10,000 to keep their sewer system working.”
Incorrect. We did state that everyone connecting to the new sewer system will have to pay SDC fees of $7,500. See Sanitary District Newsletter (click to read newsletter) and that IF they are required to put in a tank it could increase to $15,000 (see Engineering Report). The fact is, at some point these homeowners will have to connect to the sewer system and there will be costs to the homeowners.
“The Terrebonne Sanitary District says that’s not the case. It is the recognized utility. It claims another organization, Terrebonne Sewer District, is spreading the misinformation”
We only use the information given out by the sanitary district. The system servicing the Terrebonne Estates is under stress and DEQ will not issue a permit to repair once the new sewer system is in place. They will be required to connect.
“Impersonating a public utility is potentially a federal crime.”
True. But we are not impersonating anyone. We have never claimed or insinuated that we represent the sanitary district. The title on our website says “Terrebonne Sewer District – Keeping You Informed of the True Details of the Terrebonne Sanitary District.” We continually post the sanitary district’s name and contact information on our posts.
“A lot of the information is incorrect and inflammatory. We have tried to contact them, but they have been unavailable, said Guy Vernon, Terrebonne Sanitary District board member”
Two things here. 1) We have requested that the sanitary district point out to us where we have made errors with NO RESPONSE. We have even asked them “Will you answer questions from the public” and have gotten no response. Second, we have NEVER been contacted by Guy or anyone from the district. We have a working contact form on our website and have never received a message from them.
“There’s a website that is using a name that’s very similar to our name. Our name is Terrebonne Sanitary District and theirs is Terrebonne Sewer District, which is very confusing”.
Anyone that’s read the blog will soon realize that we are not them nor do we ever claim to be. If the sanitary district is concerned about our name they could just contact us and we will discuss it.
“Mike Mooers owns the private utility in Terrebonne Estates mentioned in the letter. I have no idea what the motivation is. It’s just a masked person that’s not happy with the progress, Mooers said. (The letter says) that we are selling the property and that we were going to develop the property. There’s no plans to do that at this time”
The motivation is, as it has always been, “Keeping You Informed of the True Details of the Terrebonne Sanitary District.” It seems to us that the sanitary district wants to get out a “story” but not the story. We will say it again, if the district points out where we are incorrect, we will post their statement and apologize for making an error. The last line is cryptic as they use the word “at this time”. How about in the future? (Listen here as Mike Mooers publicly mentions planning to sell the property – starting at 37 min)
“At the Sanitary district board meeting Thursday, Central Oregon Daily asked the board about the letter. Multiple people blamed a man named Jim Wilhelm, saying he’s running the sewer district and its website, anonymously.”
There is a reason we chose to remain anonymous at Terrebonne Sewer District and this article by Central Oregon Daily is one of the reasons. Our editor, writers, contributors, and webmaster all live and work in the area and want to be involved but not to the point of opening themselves to attacks or theats. Our names may be hidden but we are always open to questions and will always respond.
Wilhelm says he is just a concerned citizen. “My name is not on it. I do know who does it and they want to remain anonymous. I will honor that”, Wilhelm said. “It’s a free country you can do what you want. I think it’s informative, maybe that’s the word I’d use.” Wilhelm is the board secretary for the Terrebonne Domestic Water District.”
We did contact the Terrebonne Domestic Water District and they informed us that Mr. Wilhelm is indeed a member of the board and has been elected twice to that board.
“An estates homeowner captured someone looking just like Wilhelm handing out the same letter on their doorbell cam. The man pictured is wearing an identical flannel shirt that Wilhelm wore for his official district photo.”
We did not see this doorbell cam shot so we will not comment.
“When asked for comment, the Terrebonne Sewer District sent Central Oregon Daily a statement saying in part “We said IF the homeowners need to install a tank, the cost would be $15,000 to $32,000 as per their plan”
True. Central Oregon Daily did contact us 3.5 hours before this story was set to air. We received their message and this is our response.
“It’s caused a lot of angst,” Vernon said. “The letter claims that these people are going to be forced to hook up to this new system at a cost, That’s just not true”
Incorrect. Their current system is not in good shape. When this system fails, and it will, DEQ will NOT allow it to be repaired. The citizens of Terrebonne Estates WILL be required to connect and it will not be free; there will be a cost.
“Terrebonne is in phase one of laying city sewer lines outside the estates.”
True. See how easy that is?
Terrebonne Sanitary District (TSD) – (425) 242-2458
Let your voices be heard. Contact the Terrebonne Sanitary District by phone, their website, or attend their meetings. Times and dates of all meetings are posted on their website.
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