March 2, 2011 (La Mesa) – Members of the newly formed East County Tax Hawks swooped in to address Helix Water District’s Board this afternoon, demanding changes to the District's memorandum of understanding (MOU) regarding public employee pensions and benefits.

 

“A sleeping giant has been awakened,” David Smyle, co-founder of the Tax Hawks, said of taxpayers. He noted that Helix has twice raised water rates to the public in recent years while raising employee compensation and boosting benefits to levels higher than in the private sector. He also faulted the Board for not requiring employees to contribute to medical coverage and for approving a long-term contract, among other issues.