Community shares concerns with IID at town hall meeting

Foul smelling canals, high electricity bills, and the Salton Sea were just some of the concerns Westmorland residents raised at Thursday’s town hall meeting with new Imperial Irrigation District Director Juanita Salas.

“There’s been a lot of discussion about services. There’s been a lot of discussion about the Salton Sea. There’s been a lot of discussion how we can best meet our customer’s and our rate payer’s needs,” Salas said.

She said problems were actually lightbulb moments.

“We’ve had different light-bulb moments. One of them is basically tracking and writing down any type of concern that they have and sending it through the right tunnel,” Salas said.

She and other IID officials answered questions and explained how many community programs work.

“Being responsive to them. Being out in the community, being in the heart of our community and listening is the number one step,” Salas said.

They said they can help only if the community speaks up.

“It’s very exciting that they are actually showing up and asking and making a call to the IID,” Salas said.

Some residents said they now understand more about how their power company works.

“We have the top-level management coming to these meetings. And it’s great for the top level management as well as other residents to hear what the concerns are,” Salas said.