ANDERSON, Calif. – On Friday morning, Anderson neighbors gathered for a special board meeting held at the Anderson Cottonwood Irrigation District (ACID) office.
“I don’t know if you really understand what you’re doing, you’re messing with my livelihood,” said one Anderson resident.
With no section on the agenda to discuss the canal, neighbors saw public comment as an opportunity to voice their concerns to the board about recent flooding in their neighborhoods.
One woman explained how she was unable to sell her home due to flooding in and around her property. “I know it’s not personal, but it’s very personal for me as far as what I do.” She added: “I didn’t want to come here and complain and be a baby or anything, but this is real to us, it’s not just water in my yard.”
One person addressed the board and said, “We’re flooded right now, my backyard I can’t even use. I don’t usually complain but this is bad.
After public comment, the council went into closed session. ACID does not wish to interview at this time. At the meeting, however, they mentioned their efforts to create long-term and short-term solutions to neighborhood flooding.
One board member spoke to board meeting attendees: “We are not minimizing the issue in any way shape or form. We do not minimize impacts in any shape or form. we’re right there and we want to help you get through it.”
There is another board meeting to be held on Monday at 6:00 pm in the Anderson City Council Chambers.