I did not attend the town hall meeting in Lucerne this year regarding the most recent demand for a water rate increase but did read about it.

As always there was citizen after citizen reciting stories of water bills for $500 and $600, how they have had to stop bathing, or let their lawn and gardens die, stories of having to decide between paying the water bill or getting their medicine.

While these stories are all so sad and very true, they are, I am afraid, a complete waste of time.

You see, there was not one person sitting up there on the panel who gives a damn. California Water Service is just another greedy, ruthless corporation that is only interested to making the most money for its shareholders, this is its only concern.

The California Public Utilities Commission doesn’t care either. Their salaries are paid by the corporations that they are supposed to be watching so they don't take advantage of us. Their weekend retreats, seminars in Vegas and Honolulu, Hawaii are all paid for by the corporations.  

Next you have our elected officials. None of them live here, there is not much campaign money here so they are not going to protect us either.  

So where does that leave the good citizens of Lucerne? Who is going to save us, who will come to our aid?

The answer is quite simple – no one but ourselves!

First we all must vote! Do everything you can to get rid of all elected officials who support corporations before citizens.

Pressure the state and local government officials to put us ahead of their own personal interests.

We cannot change this over night as it has taken many years for us to get to these desperate times.

For those of you who do not live in Lucerne, take notice because this problem is only going to grow.  We are all in danger.

James Hankins is a 12-year resident of Lucerne, Calif.