As the Altoona Water Authority’s since-retired engineer who was mostly responsible for the decision to contract HTE Engineering of Sandy, Utah, for the fabrication of the rubber dams, I found your pontificating remarks to be quite patronizing, considering you don’t know what you’re talking about.

Along with ISO quality assurance certification, HTE met the specifications I had put forth that mirrored our former Bridgestone rubber dams that were manufactured in Japan. Bridgestone was the largest global producer of rubber dams, which were known for their durability. After they discontinued production in 2008, there was a void in the market that no other manufacturer would immediately fill.

HTE, with its manufacturing facilities in China, was one of only two manufacturers in existence at the time and had produced over 1,500 rubber dams worldwide with stateside installations in Vermont, New York, California, Oregon, Idaho, and Kansas, whose owners were contacted for testimonials.

Mark Glenn is one of the most respected engineers in the state. Mr. Glenn, Mr. Perry, and myself have about 130 years of experience in specifying, bidding and procuring equipment and securing contracts for multimillion dollar projects. You giving us lessons on how to do our jobs going forward gives me second-hand embarrassment.

A lesson for the Altoona Mirror would be to not print bold comments about complex technical issues based on a handful of statements made at an authority board meeting, all while sitting behind a desk most likely made in China.

Michael V. Sinisi, P.E.

Hollidaysburg