Dear editor,Re: Improvement district conversion.Any improvement district considering conversion to a Specified Service Area of the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) should carefully analyze the facts before seeking approval from their ratepayers and the Province.I was actively involved as a board member of Royston Improvement District (RID) for over 25 years.To my personal dismay, the improvement district converted to a specified service area of the CVRD on Jan, 1, 2010. As required by the Conversion Terms of Reference, outgoing members of the RID Board were appointed as an advisory committee to provide input on all Royston water-related matters for a period of three years. However, all decisions are pre-determined by CVRD staff; any suggestions by the committee are disregarded.During the past 18 months I have witnessed the following:• Removal of expensive chlorination equipment (which was fully operational Dec. 31, 2009) parts of which were left abandoned in the works compound and exposed to UV damage. The equipment was then replaced by a more costly and hazardous pr.• The concrete reservoir has been taken out of service, reducing the amount of available water for emergency purposes.• The office building is sitting vacant. The original intent was for it to be sold with the proceeds being credited to the ratepayers of Royston to offset any future capital works.• Flushing and hydrant servicing has not been done.In my opinion an audit of the structure and governance of CVRD is long overdue.Walter Spruyt,Courtenay

Comox Valley Record