The old web site was good, at first glance the new one looks better for a couple reasons. Navigation is simpler and easier to reach the most frequently needed web pages and files in the document library. Font size is better for iPad/iPhone reading, though it’s a bit oversize for my home pc screen. Overall, the parts of the site that I visit most often are less cluttered — the plus side of purging a fair number of old files.

I concur with Ms Carlton’s reply. I’ve never had a problem with documents being unavailable or EID being unresponsive to requests for information. I’ve always used a philosophy of “check the web site first, if what I want to see isn’t there just ask. The phone works, email works.

Mr. Jakowatz’s assertions could not be further from the truth. The facts are that we have launched a new website that will provide even easier access to all of our documents. Our website was last updated in 2006. Since that time our existing website had become outdated, from a technology standpoint, and did not allow us to communicate as effectively as we would have liked. Therefore, we created a new website that contains even more customer-friendly features that our customers have been requesting. We also have used updated technology that will allow visitors to sign up to be notified when news, meetings, documents, jobs and projects are posted to the site.

We have migrated most of the same documents from the old website to the new one at the time of the launch and will continue to migrate more documents as we further refine our website. We did remove some older, less pertinent documents, but those, as well as others, are available to the public if they are requested via the Public Records Act process.

Mr. Jakowatz is very familiar with the ability to access records through the public records process, as he, himself, has done so at ten times over the last two years, and we have fulfilled his requests 100 percent of the time, just as we would for others requesting information. Also, Mr. Jakowatz does not hesitate to personally contact me with questions, which are answered in a very timely fashion.

Finally, in response to his claim that we were not being forthright about announcing our new website, that is also simply not true. It was featured prominently on the front page of the District’s July/August customer newsletter, The Waterfront, and that edition is on the front page of the new website. It is also being sent in customer’s billing statements that are being processed at this time. The new website will also be showcased at the upcoming Board meeting on July 23, which will be the first meeting since its launch.

Mary Lynn Carlton
Director, Communications and Community Relations
El Dorado Irrigation District