A SAD DAY FOR THE CSD

Sept. 24, 2009, the Board of Directors held a special meeting in which they accepted the resignation of the Operations Manager, Jason Mc McCullough. Jason, however, is probably relieved that he longer has to put up with all the harassment from certain staff and directors. Directors Kinsella and Ross have done it again. When will they learn that the CSD Board is not the “good ole’ boys club”? So far in the 10 months on the board they have managed to drive away two good employees.

The board will be hiring a General Manager and in the interim a temporary operator at the tune of $85 + per hour. I wonder what Jason thought hearing the board discuss hiring his replacement at this high price. Unless they learn to stop the meddling and harassment, they’re only going to dig their doo-doo pit deeper than it already is.

They wouldn’t stop harassing Jason, is a new person going to fare any better, someone who doesn’t know our system or community like Jason does? I doubt it. What about the extra cost the CSD will incur hiring electricians; mechanics; plumbers; backhoe operators; etc. all this at a time when they are supposed to be cutting costs. Common sense alone tells you that costs won’t be cut, unless they’re lucky enough to acquire another gem, (Jack of all trades) willing to work 16+ hours a day. There is no one to blame but themselves, not the previous boards which is their custom.

At today’s meeting, Director Ross stormed out of the closed session, through the building slamming the door saying “I’m out of here”. This is not behavior becoming of a Director. The rate payers of the district deserve better. He was totally out of line with his “paid for by Emery Ross” advertisement in the September issue of the Foothill Express, publicly discussing an employee of the district. His behavior clearly indicates he hasn’t passed Ethics 101. He needs to step down and give the district a chance to move forward. I shudder at the thought of another year with him on the board. What will the next year bring?

Jean Barclay

THE PRICE OF FAILURE

Recently I spoke with the owner of a scary business. It is a private water company located north of Sacramento that is authorized by the California PUC to acquire failed water agencies. It currently owns and operates 14 such agencies.

When this company makes an acquisition, the local facility all but disappears. All billing is done from a central location, and traveling work crews do whatever physical work is necessary. Of course they have all the required State licenses for water treatment and distribution. This means all local jobs are lost.

I asked how water rates were determined and the reply was, “It’s very simple. You take your expenses and divide by the number of customers.”

This formula seems attractive at first until you realize there is absolutely no local control over the costs of labor and transportation, and no mechanism for building up reserves for capital improvements or for long term planning. If a big project comes up, the rate payers will face assessments. In one failed district, rates went up 300%!

So, my fellow rate payer, failure of our CSD is not an option. Please attend meetings, learn the issues, demand the Board get off its collective backsides, and solve problems. In my opinion, two Board members should resign, Bill Kinsella and Emery Ross, as they have nothing constructive to offer and have wasted months arguing.

Ellie Duste

I MUST TAKE EXCEPTION

to the LDP Golf Course article in the September 3rd Mariposa Gazette. Huff is quoted as stating that "huge water bills" played a part in the golf course closing. I don't understand this as CSD is operating under the same contract with the golf course that has been in place since 2005. Tom Porter signed this contract so I must believe he helped craft it and knew the document he signed. Until this year the golf course has not paid any overhead expenses.

This means that all the while they were getting the many trees and shrubs started, the rest of the CSD membership (we the people) were paying the golf course's share of the overhead. We all know how much water it takes to get plants started in this area.

I never heard any complaints about this. We were happy to have the golf course back in our neighborhood. However, the golf course contract with CSD, Item 10-6, of this contract says the golf course will pay water overhead.

I must also mention that in 2005 Peggy Walz was a CSD Director. She voted to accept the contract between the golf course and CSD.I must believe that she also read this contract before voting for it, though Peggy Walz intimates this is a large surprise to her. To suggest that CSD has "changed its water rates on a whim" is just not so. The same rates exist today as when the contract began.

The golf course purchases raw water rather than treated water so water is sent through separate piping to Gregoris Pond where it holds until needed.

A complaint from the golf course earlier this year regarding a spill at Gregoris was reimbursed! This was not a large amount, but CSD Board of Directors realized that the golf course was feeling financial strain and acted in good faith.

I agree with Ms Porter that losing the golf course is sad. But let's place blame where it belongs if blame is to be placed. Economic times are not good, the golf course membership was low and the restaurant was pricey for many folks who live on fixed incomes in our area.

Sally Punte
CSD Customer
CSD Director