Take a country—any country—and destroy its manufacturing base by sending jobs overseas. Make sure no alternative job base develops. In the same country, see that wages, including the minimum wage, remain static for almost forty years; further reduce jobs through automation, computerized information systems, outsourcing, and downsizing. Simultaneous to job and wage reduction, in that same nation raise housing costs. Raise the costs of education exponentially. Make sure energy costs, […]
History
More Trouble for OID
The beleaguered Oakdale Irrigation District (OID) got more bad news this week when attorneys for rice farmer Robert Frobose claimed OID had hired an engineering firm to address its redistricting problems without first soliciting competitive bids for the job. Earlier this year, OID was found in violation of state requirements to change district boundaries based on updated census results. In response to the problem, OID hired CH2M Hill. CH2M Hill […]
Rousting the Homeless
Joe Scalfani’s motorized wheel chair went off the cliff right before the big sweep. What happened was Fidel was trying to help Joe after thieves had taken Joe’s shoes and backpack while he was sleeping under the eaves of the park restroom. When Joe woke up, his stuff was gone and his chair was low on power. Fidel, who had a small tent, told Joe he could stay near the […]
Secret Government Hurts the Public Interest
Insiders are speculating that the Oakdale Irrigation District’s (OID) secret water sale may have been the final straw for district voters, who just ousted longtime incumbent OID Directors Frank Clark and Al Bairos. Below, Bruce Frohman provides a history of secrecy in local government and argues it almost always hurts the public interest. A basic truth about government is that secret decisions often have undesirable outcomes. In local government, very […]
Scottie and Mary: Homeless in the Storm
Back in September when we interviewed him, Scottie Shovelski at least had a roof over his head. Things changed for the worse two weeks ago. Severely disabled, Scottie has said he blames himself for his, “failure to make progress.” For the last couple of years, he’s spent his nights at a local shelter. During the day, he’s had to fend for himself on the streets. Recently, he lost control of […]
Local Businesses Solve Harvest Dust Problems
For about a month every year, Valley citizens endure large dust clouds during the annual almond harvest. Dust coats cars, sidewalks, homes—everything. Those with allergies correlate their suffering with the dust. Outbreaks of Valley Fever in the southern part of the Valley are believed to be associated with dust carrying fungi. Almond harvesters presently blow air into almond piles to remove dust; the dust is blown away and then drifts […]
Did OID Violate the Brown Act?
Rice Farmer Robert Frobose has served the Oakdale Irrigation District (OID) with documents including, “a formal Brown Act Violation letter of complaint and supporting documentation.” The Brown Act guarantees the public’s right to attend and participate in public meetings. Frobose and many other farmers protested earlier this year when OID cut water allotments for senior members of the district even while delivering surface water to Tier II member Trinitas Partners. […]
Despite Sale, OID is Still Under Water
It was fascinating to read Janie Gatzman’s letter of support for the Oakdale Irrigation District’s (OID) water sale in Wednesday’s Modesto Bee. Alert readers will remember that late last June Gatzman wrote that farming “south of the Tuolumne River” had not caused, “significant impacts to downstream city wells.” Gatzman made her claim despite widespread knowledge of a huge cone of depression in the very area she claimed suffered no “significant […]
OID Admits Secret Water Sale
Ordinarily, all the Oakdale Irrigation District (OID) needs to do to spin the news is have its $160 an hour PR firm prepare a press release which is then picked up by the Oakdale Leader and printed nearly verbatim. That strategy fell apart last Tuesday, when The Valley Citizen revealed OID’s secret water sale. Not much later, OID General Manager Steve Knell responded candidly when Modesto Bee reporter Garth Stapley […]
Was There a Secret Water Sale?
Gail Altieri and Linda Santos have been saying for months that the Oakdale Irrigation District (OID) hides its business from members of the district. Now we’re hearing rumors that despite saying all year long it is short water, OID has sold water outside the area. Altieri and Santos are running against incumbents Al Bairos and Frank Clark for positions on the OID Board of Directors. Earlier this year, OID had […]