ARIZONA CORPORATION COMMISSION
1200 W. WASHINGTON
PHOENIX, AZ. 85007

COMMISSION MOVES TO TAKE OVER LAZY B WATER COMPANY

Arizona Corporation Commissioners have begun the legal action that will allow the Commission staff to take over operations of the Lazy B Water Company, southwest of Tucson, assuring continued service to the 24 customers of the company. Commissioners have directed the staff to find a certified water company operator to run the system, pending a hearing. The operator will be authorized to read meters, collect payments from customers, connect meters, pay bills, conduct water tests, and perform other day to day operations of the company.

Commission Chairman Carl Kunasek said "We will take every step necessary to ensure that quality water is delivered to the customers of Lazy B Water".

The owner of the company, Myron Weinberg, also known as John Baker, was arrested on multiple felony counts on June 20, 1997, and has not posted the $150,000 bail set by the court. Weinberg has ten days to file a written response to the commission action. The order directs the commission hearing division to set a date for a hearing on the issue of abandonment of the system. The hearing would also deal with commission appointment of a permanent operator to assure the public health and safety.

Pima County health officials recently found coliform contamination in the system. A neighboring utility, Thim Utilities, decontaminated the system.