20080929Comment.pdf

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September 24, 2008 RECEIVED
ZODR SEP 29 AM 8: 35
IDAHO PUBLIC
UTILITieS COMMISSfON
Idaho Public Utilities Commssion
Dear Sir/Made,
I am wrting ths lett because of my deep concer over the susbilty and long-ter
viabilty of Teton Sprigs Water and Sewer Company, LLC. I am an owner in the Teton
Sprigs Development and my propert is at 21 Mountan Meadows Lane, Victor, Idao.
The water bils have ben asonomica--$350.0G-ven when the water is tued off and
there is no usage. I have also ben notied that the curent rates may go up fuer to
untenable levels. It is my concer that the rates will go much higher be~ of the large
number of foreclosures in the development, hence causing an overwhelmg cost burden
to homeowners and a huge challenge to the sustbilty of Teton Sprigs Water and
Sewer Company, LLC.
I am awar tht they have filed an Application with the Idao Public Utilities
Commssion reuestig a Cerficae of Convenience and Necessity to provide domestic,
culin water sece in Teton County, Idao to customers with the Teton Sprigs Golf
and Casting Club planed unt development. I believe that there are major chalenges
with the Teton Sprigs development to wart grve concern and fuer investigation
on the par of the Idao PUc.
Some of the chalenges ar:
. A lawsuit fies agait the Teton Sprigs Golf and Castig Grup (and other6
defendats named) which has ben filed in US Distct Cour cae numbe
4:2008cv00099.
. A class action lawsuit fie agait the mortgage broker and the lender, case
numbe 1 :2008cv00352.
. Two other lawsuits, ca numbe I do not have
. A formal complait ha bee fied with HU against Tetn Sprigs for violation
of the Interstte Land Sales Act
. Being the former owner of Teton Sprigs, Teton Sprigs Golf and Casing Club
as the developer of Teton Sprigs ha detaled knowledge of ths development and
the curent and futu challenges. They also owned Teton Sprigs Realty who wa
the exclusive real estte sales agent for Teton Sprigs when many of the home
and lot purhas were made. As key staeholders in the development, they are
well aware of the market conditions and how the futue of Teton Springs Water
and Sewer will be adversely impacted.
. The Teton Sprigs development sems to be "implodig" on itslf. Every home
was signficatly overalued on the apprasas and signcantly underwater. A
large number of homes have gone into default and none have be re-sold at the
numerous auctions tht have been held in the town of Victor, Idao. These
forelosures ar not payig their water bils, their HOA fees, etc. Eighte more
homes will be forelose upon in Janua by First Horizon Ban and many more
will follow. Twenty five homes and parcels were up for auction on Satuy
September 19 and none sold.
. Crag Smith of Rivers Edge Apprasas is under probation with disciplin action
with the Board of Rea Estate Apprasers in Idao due to misrepresenting
apprasals and in the ca of Teton Sprigs, grossly misrepresentig the price of
the homes and his apprasa metod in the development. He did a signficant
number of the apprasas.
The PUC should be awar tht Teton Sprigs Water and Sever is very aware of the
escalatig number of foreclosed homes and has a policy of quickly discontinuing service
on the many never occupied propertes and the ones in short sae statu.
It is my belief tht the Idao PUC must review and carfuly consider these facts before
renderig a fial decision in ths mattr.
Very Sincerely Your,~7¡L__
Susan Norton