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Editor's note: Bob Sharpe of Sharpe and Associates declined the Star's invitation to write a commentary on the wastewater-plant issue.

Let's work together and not against each other.

The Arizona Daily Star invited the town of Sahuarita to write a guest opinion regarding the recent article by Tim Ellis (Builder Against Sewer Hookups, Aug. 10, 2006). Being the town's communications manager, whose job it is to share news with residents, I jumped at the chance to share the town's perspective on this issue.

In addition to the publication of Mr. Ellis' article, the town sent a letter directly to all residents in the wastewater-treatment plant's service area to clarify some points raised on the issue. Because the letter and the article discussed the wastewater issue at length, I am hesitant to reiterate the whole issue yet again.

I would like to give a brief background on the subject, but then focus on a more important issue, which is how the issue could have been resolved in a direct and effective manner.

As a background, the developer of Rancho Sahuarita, Sharpe and Associates, raised concerns about a recent update to the Pima County region's waste- water plan, which includes the town of Sahuarita wastewater-treatment plant. These issues were shared via an e-mail and mailing to all Rancho Sahuarita residents, and the developer called a homeowners' meeting, but the town was not permitted to address the issue.

In fact, I was even asked to leave the meeting by the developer, along with the town attorney, when we tried to address the concerns and clarify the information on the wastewater-plan update.

The developer's issue was a perceived expansion in the town's wastewater-treatment plant. However, it should be noted that the town is not expanding the plant, nor is it in any of our plans to do so.

The item that is being expanded is the town's wastewater planning area, which, as math teachers like to say, is like comparing apples and oranges when you look at a wastewater plant's service area and the town's wastewater planning area.

Now to the more important issue: that the town would have gladly addressed this subject at the homeowners' meeting in Rancho Sahuarita. Allowing the town to speak would have clarified the issue, given residents the opportunity to share any concerns about the wastewater-treatment plant run by the town directly with town representatives, and let residents of Rancho Sahuarita go on to other business of concern at the meeting.

Your town government is committed to being open and hopes to share as much information with residents as possible. Residents (and nonresidents alike) are always welcome at the Town Council and commission meetings, and your Town Council members and staff are willing to meet with you or a group of your neighbors about any town-related issues.

Before jumping to any conclusions, challenge your sources or come to us directly. Don't let a developer's business concern set your agenda and be the sole source from which you learn information about your town government.

By fostering a spirit of collaboration and working together to address issues, questions and problems can be solved quickly and in a positive manner.