Letter inaccurate

Dear Editor,

It is unfortunate you published comments by Mr. Fred Allen in your Open Forum column that contained false information concerning the safety of the city water without any editorial comment concerning the accuracy of this statement: "Even if the water were pure and drinkable, it would still be 5-15 years before it was safe to drink."

You know, Mr. Editor, that the municipal water system will meet all safety standards of the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act by March 31, 2006! You know that if these standards are not met by March 31, 2006, that the city is subject to increased and continued fines and penalties -- in addition to the $300,000 already levied against the city -- by the federal and state governments!

When your readers make inaccurate statements concerning something as serious and potentially life threatening as the safety of the drinking water delivered by the municipal water system, I feel you -- the media -- have a sacred responsibility to make an editorial comment, at least qualifying if not correcting the inaccuracy of such statements.

Thank you,

John M. Bingham,

City Manager