Editor,

For the past six years we have struggled in Diking District 1 to answer the same issues facing Diking District 2. We have learned:

Diking Districts are “benefit assessment districts” and can only assess for benefits received.

The only benefit is to prevent overflow of salt or fresh water so only those properties suffering flooding should be assessed.

Mr. Ray Gabelein, who was quoted in the recent Record story, “Proposed Maxwelton assessment can wait until 2016, diking district commissioners decide,” was responsible for failing to hold public hearings in Diking District 1 and attempting to shift the cost for draining his fields to residents who were not “benefitted.”

Please don’t repeat the costly mistakes which occurred in Diking District 1.

ROBERT WINQUIST

Clinton