YUCCA MESA - March 19, 2009 - Elizabeth Karman, Co-Founder of the Stop Yucca Mesa Annexation Coalition, testified before the Hi-Desert Water District Board on March 18, 2009, and presented documentation from Town Council Minutes, Staff Reports, and the Municipal Service Review that the Town of Yucca Valley is indeed considering a take-over of the High Desert Water District.

A pre-requisite for the Town to take over the Water District is they must have their own sphere of influence for the same area as the Water District they want to take over, according to the Local Agency Formation Commission for San Bernardino County (LAFCO) rules.

If the Town is successful in obtaining a Sphere of Influence on Yucca Mesa and takes over the Water District, the Hi-Desert Water District would be converted to a subsidiary district of the town (a municipal water district) in which the Town Council becomes the Board of Directors for the District.

This would be a "whammy" for the Town of Yucca Valley, a "double-whammy" for Yucca Mesa and a "double-win" for the Town Council should the Town Council be successful in obtaining a Sphere of Influence on Yucca Mesa. Not only would the Town Council be able to pre-zone Yucca Mesa, but it would be able to direct water to future developments on the Mesa or anywhere else it wanted.

Upon inquiry, the Town Manager, Andy Takata, would neither deny nor confirm the Town Council’s intentions. However, if we connect the dots, we find first that the only area the Town Council wants to annex on the Mesa is the Hi-Desert Water District’s Sphere of Influence. Second, the Town’s own documentation discusses the issue, and third is the recent hiring by the Hi-Desert Water District of Mayor Frank Luckino as Chief Financial Officer. If the Town were to succeed in obtaining a Sphere of Influence on Yucca Mesa, not only would Frank Luckino be the Mayor of the Town, he would also be the Chief Financial Officer and the President of a municipal water district. That’s a great deal of power for one man.

Over 2200 signed petitions and a poll reveals that residents from both Yucca Mesa and Yucca Valley do not want the Town to take over either Yucca Mesa or the High Desert Water District. They reason that the Town Council and Staff are doing a poor job of managing the Town and do not need the additional responsibility of a municipal water district. Most residents opined that the Hi-Desert Water District was doing a good job of providing water to their homes and businesses, but wanted lower water rates.

Now the question is: Does the Hi-Desert Water District want to be taken over by the Town of Yucca Valley? The Stop Yucca Mesa Annexation Coalition is hopeful that this subject will be placed on the Water District’s agenda for their next Board meeting, discussed, and a Resolution adopted expressing they do not want the Town to take them over.

The Stop Yucca Mesa Annexation Coalition hosts a website for the public at:

The website includes information on protest procedures, the annexation process, Town Council meeting excerpts, frequently asked questions, and caution about accepting Trojan Horses. There’s also a page for volunteers to sign up for tasks. The Coalition can also be reached at 760-219-7924.

The Stop Yucca Mesa Annexation Coalition is committed to stopping the land grab by the Town of Yucca Valley.

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