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Politics & Government

Two Vie for Water District Commissioner in Special District Election

League of Women Voters hosts Meet The Candidates night.

Candidates for Port Washington Water District Commissioner  Thomas J. Murray Jr. and James A. Brodie, shared their positions and experience at the League of Women Voter's "Meet The Candidates Night" on Tuesday.  With a crowd of almost 50 concerned Port Washington citizens, the candidates answered questions and explained why they should be elected.

Murray Jr., the incumbent, has been a commissioner for the Port Washington Water District for 21 years.  He has also been a business owner for 40 years.  "I have many years of experience with budgets and city contracts," Murray said  in his opening statements.  With a budget of $4.7 million, Murray reminded the audience that the organization did not raise the budget for 2011.

His opponent, James A. Brodie, is the managing director of Carr Securities Corporation, which is a member of the National Association of Securities Dealer.  He is a graduate of the Oxford School at Emory College and sits on the board of trustees for Saddle Rock Ranch.  "I view water as a nexus resource," Brodie said. "It is essential for power and is the single most important resource on Long Island." 

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The discussion was moderated by Judy Jacobson,Voter Services Director for the League of Women Voters.  The questions asked ranged from concerns over water bills, conservation, contamination, excess water and debt.  

Murray Jr. explained, "The more water you use, the more money you have to pay."  Currently, the minimum rate is $13 for 9,948 gallons of water.  Residents are billed every 90 days.  The rate was raised $1 last year, which is the first time the district has done so since 1987.  "One of the main reasons the rate is going up is to keep up with maintenance," Murray said.

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Brodie expressed a concern of a lack of regulation with water usage.  "There is no enforcement in water, and there should be…we should at least given an image that we are working to conserve water," Brody said. 

One of the major concerns the audience had was debt. Murray explained how the district is in debt $6 million, which goes back many years. "The debt is ongoing," said Murray.  Brodie expressed his desire to work on conserving water, which will help "establish a line of credit so we have money when we need it."

Murray said that the debt will "probably never be paid." Brodie responded to a question of a 'friendly second notice,' when the bill hasn't been paid and the water is turned off.  He said "we have a small staff so we have to run a tight ship."  However, an e-mail system is being looked into to accommodate requests for a second notice.

Murray responded to a question about contamination, assuring the townspeople that the district uses air-stripping towers and granular activated carbon to filter the water. The district works hard to prevent salt water from getting into the drinking water.

Most water is gathered by rainfall.  According to the water district website: Port water is stored in two elevated tanks of 1 million and 250,000 gallon capacities each, and two underground tanks of 1 million and 22 million gallons each.  "There are a lot of little things we can do to make a big difference,"Brodie said.

In their closing statements, Brodie said with confidence, "I expect to bring a different dynamic to the district…we need to look at water in a different way."

Murray made known that he is available "24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer any questions…we try to keep the community in mind at all times."  The election will take place on Dec. 14 at the Polish American Citizens Association from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Note: This article has been updated to reflect the correct name of James A. Brodie's college. 

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