Integrity of two water officials should not be questioned

Thomas S. Buqo, Blue Diamond

Sunday, July 6, 2008 | 2:05 a.m.

I just completed reading the fifth and final installment of Emily Green’s series, “Quenching Las Vegas’ Thirst.”

Overall the series was informative, but I found the last installment to be full of innuendo that unfairly portrays a team of people who have devoted most of their professional careers to solving a water supply situation that they did not create. By way of disclosure, I was the author or co-author of seven Water District reports on rural basins in the early 1990s.

Some of Tim Durbin’s statements, as quoted by Ms. Green, are unprofessional and, frankly, beyond the pale. I have known Terry Katzer and Kay Brothers for more than 20 years and respect them, their work and their accomplishments.

Both are dedicated, honest, hardworking and genuinely nice people. No one can claim an opinion of these two fine people higher than my own. I can unequivocally state that at no time did Mr. Katzer, Ms. Brothers, or any other employee or representative of the Las Vegas Valley Water District or the Southern Nevada Water Authority ever direct, ask, suggest or even imply that I should in any way alter any of my findings or conclusions, or how I presented them in writing.

I have known Mr. Durbin for about 10 years and can attest that no one has a higher opinion of Tim Durbin than Mr. Durbin does. Consider the source, Ms. Green, and remember, just because someone mouths off doesn’t mean you have to print it in your article.