Make it fair (or unfair) for everyone 

As a concerned and caring individual, I would like to propose a solution to the Paso groundwater problem. First, I would like to say that while both sides have made valid points, the one person, one vote and the 1 acre, one vote positions both seem a little extreme. If a compromise can be reached that has the best chance of preserving the basin and is fair, or at least equally unfair to the two sides, that might be the best solution.

This is my solution: Any resident of the area that has no land up to 1 acre gets one vote. Any resident with between 1 and 10 acres gets two votes. Any resident with between 10 and 100 acres gets three votes and between 100 and 1,000 acres gets four votes. Finally, any resident who has more than 1,000 acres gets a maximum of five votes. This compromise both gives those with more land more say in how the basin is managed and doesn’t place the majority of votes in the hands of a relatively small minority of stakeholders. This issue reminds me of an old life lesson I learned long ago: “Don’t focus on what you want at the expense of what you can get.”

-- Don Merrill - Arroyo Grande