(g) Quick backtrack regarding the arsenic in the groundwater wells and proposed operation of the wells for the future…..then a status report of the Emergency Barge, Filter Renovation and Intake Booster #2 projects.

My best to you and yours, Lew

PART (f) Well, trying something different to speed things up a bit while maintaining the essence of the meeting.  Some interesting information regarding the groundwater arsenic problem our district now must deal with for perpetuity.  Seems to me KAMPA should have considered and calculated that issue into project development since he was personally aware of it 20 years ago when working here the first time.  But of course KAMPA & KOMPANY were in such a big rush to complete everything and get those wells working something had to suffer for expediency. Why not primary surface water treatment plant equipment and our safety?

Kampa seems to never provide the whole story – only his spin.  Same as when he first came aboard–the second time that is in 2014 – ….behind the scene agreements; closed recruitment process; submitted a contract price for his services; dug himself into our operations; made significant expensive changes; proposed many great sounding projects; and once comfortable with his parasitic designed  environment (like a tick on a dog) increased his price for all the “extra work” necessary.

Yup, just like the wells.  QUICK!  QUICk!  QUICK!  You are going to run out of water; the community will be lost, but I can save you if you only let me!   Hurry!  Advertise this in all available media,…tell the world!  Kampa is going to save Lake Don Pedro!   Quick, give me more authority and access to all your savings to get things done quickly since environmental review regulations have been suspended due to the critical time issue…….we need to get the ground wells online ASAP!

However, once the project was locked in and everybody and their brother misled as to the actual motive for publicly funded groundwater wells and the wells ready to produce – up jump the two infamous attempts to rescind the 2013 prohibition on further outside place of use properties.  Why?  So they could start selling (what they told us was) our newly developed EMERGENCY WATER SOURCE!

Double whammy!  Screwed the 99% of legal customers twice with the same deceit. [1- LIED: groundwater wells were always intended for Outside MIDPOU land developers, and,  2- EVEN IN AN ACTIVE EMERGENCY DROUGHT (rationale for well development) they were going to sell that newly developed “emergency water” to Outside MIDPOU land developers anyway!  Sure seems like despicable conduct by neighbors who claim to represent the best interests of the legal customers in this Community Services District.]

Yup, KAMPA & THIRD PARTY LAND DEVELOPERS WANTING SUBSIDIZED CHEAP WATER were in a hurry to get it flowing because (as we know from past LDPCSD shady deals) once the water deliveries start and people become dependent on it – you can’t stop the flow.   They FINALLY OBTAINED ENOUGH “ALTERNATE SOURCE WATER” to begin expanding that special benefit water service even further outside the MIDPOU.  Exactly what KAMPA tried 20 years ago when expanding District service but could not obtain the water – so he returned to the scene of the crime to complete the job.

And now?  OH NO!  There’s arsenic in the water?  Golly gee – POOR PETE KAMPA was so busying saving us he forgot all about that darn arsenic in the water stuff  – gosh darn it!  (along with mandatory compliance reporting to MID; signed certificates of district solvency; service area map boundaries, and past misrepresentations to government entities, etc….)

But have no fear!  All is not lost.  Take a deep breath and relax because PETE KAMPA & KAMPA COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS LLC, and those supporting the betrayal and hi-jacking of our surface water treatment plant, have, once again, delivered us from impending disaster and provided the wonderful people of Lake Don Pedro the answer to yet another KAMPA CREATED PROBLEM …………(this one is KLASSIC KAMPA)—

WITH ENOUGH MONEY WE CAN DO ALMOST ANYTHING!

(phew!  and I was worried?)

Oh?  Anything?  Like constructing a paper “water empire” with public funds then dumping the perpetual maintenance, reporting, repair, and replacement costs on the financial backs of property owners in the subdivision who do not require a GROUNDWATER SUBSTITUTION PROGRAM because they are LEGAL USERS OF MERCED RIVER WATER?   KAMPA & KOMPANY figured no one would ever realize the depths of their scam during the emergency drought….I mean after all, they WERE SAVING THE COMMUNITY FROM CERTAIN DOOM!  (I don’t know about the rest of you, but I made some major changes/additions in my property and lifestyle in preparation for the worse case scenario based on what Kampa was spewing to cover what was really up.)

We need emergency groundwater wells in case the lake dries up!  Technically, had our system been maintained, I believe a very good argument could be made that we would have simply struggled through as we had in the past when it appeared Lake McClure might dry up.  Kampa again misrepresented that fact by saying the possibility of that happening had never been considered by the district before.  Absolute rubbish! I have a copy of the petition filed by the LDPOA in the 1990s (somewhere around here….I’ll check later, maybe – but I’m sure it’s here) because of concerns water for environmental purposes would restrict or eliminate their available water.  It’s a frigg’n cycle.  Drought.  Flood.   Drought.   Flood.    Capture in flood, wisely use in drought.

So we jump into their “alternate source water” for emergencies argument, but what is the result?  Due to groundwater arsenic in all the wells, that “emergency water” may not be safe for consumption without sufficient lake water to dilute the arsenic to a safe level.   POP!  Goes the Weasel!  Wa…aait   a minute ….isn’t the groundwater for when there is no lake water?  …..right?

OH WELL….here’s the offering…

Hope you all have an enjoyable and safe weekend.   UPS just delivered another “transplant” so once this (f) is uploaded and posted…..I will be involved with another “procedure” with bare feet firmly planted on cold tile (discharge of potentially harmful static electricity so I don’t shock my CPU to death!  lol – wish me luck!)       My best to you and yours, Lew

(e) May 15, 2017 LDPCSD Monthly meeting

 

……and then, blah blah blah      🙂

My best to you and yours, Lew

Part (d)  May 15, 2017 LDPCSD Monthly Meeting.

Don’t know how to break the news to you, so I’ll just put it out there:   36 MINUTES and 18 SECONDS!  – the longest LDPCSD meeting video ever posted by this blah blah blah idiot AND  despite laws against cruel and inhuman punishment.

Sorry, but wanted to finish up on the financial discussion regarding some of the “anticipated grant money”.      Perhaps some of the meeting portions coming up can be “briefed” without the video/audio? Something like….”meeting started with blah blah blah, meeting ended with blah blah blah”   My best to you and yours, Lew

Have no fear…..don’t believe I will be uploading such a monster again!

 

Yes, yes, yes…I took advantage of the over 15 minute video limit YOUTUBE now allows.  Ahhhh, come on …don’t be like that……it’s really not that bad.  Under 20 minutes as I recall.  Maybe a tad bit over.  Didn’t really check but the “end of video” notice was right around 19 minutes….so….pretty close.

This Lake Don Pedro CSD situation is very ugly because it illustrates quite well how personal and business desires of only a few can pervert, corrupt and destroy an otherwise fantastic idea.   (ie, Community Service Districts:  limited services to a defined group for only the cost necessary in providing those services.)  Unfortunately there are many great ideas that appear reasonable and achievable on paper but when exposed to “real world” corruption quickly mutate into highly undesirable outcomes never intended by the designers.

Seems legitimate government activity (all that “by the people and for the people” stuff) is always closely shadowed with some form of illegitimate behind the scene special interest influence seeking some sort of a parasitic relationship (usually financial) with the legally approved “host activity”.  These external forces essentially want some benefit they are not otherwise entitled to for nothing or at a greatly reduced cost.  Naturally those “legally entitled” to the benefit/service always end up paying for that cost difference.  (Like how shoplifting raises the cost on items for all consumers.)

Yes the LDPCSD situation is ugly but I also acknowledge what I do sometimes in opposition to our District’s reconfiguration into a THIRD PARTY SPECIAL BENEFIT WATER SERVICE FACILITY (based on groundwater substitution for MERCED RIVER WATER TRANSFERS OUTSIDE THE MIDPOU) could be considered ugly as well.  OK, satire hurts when it illustrates the truth, but I digress.  What I’m attempting to communicate is this, I think my sense of humor satisfactorily expresses legitimate points –  but hope my feeble attempts at encouraging a laugh or two is not too offensive to the sensitive.  (Heck, believe it or not, I too am a sensitive individual but I’m in “fight mode” or “resistance mode” if you prefer.  Remember the purpose of HARD HEART BEATING CARDS?   lol)

KAMPA & KOMPANY (and other such exploiters of the weak, uninformed, apathetic, etc.) have significant financial resources, companies (limited liability and otherwise), corporations, professional support organizations, lawyers, CPA’s, auditors, the ear of public officials and “movers and shakers” of a community, and Heaven knows what other assets they can mobilize and utilize to force their “SPECIAL INTEREST AGENDA” whereas I have a sharp tongue sometimes and a website to post the blah, blah, blah.  So what?  Fight with what you have right?   I too often shake my head at the way I present some of the information about this near 40 year turmoil over the intended functioning of this Community Services District.

Still, it is absolutely amazing how much time, energy and resources KAMPA & KOMPANY have put into this ELABORATE  GROUNDWATER SUBSTITUTION scheme funded with public money but also how much additional effort and resources they now must expend in covering up what they successfully accomplished while denying involvement.

Crazy huh?  But that’s what happens when “corners are cut” by a public agency’s Board of Directors and management.   That “oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive” truism.  Anyway, suffice it to say it does not please me to ridicule those responsible because that only indicates they are still in positions of authority while pursuing (and concealing) personal/business objectives.  Objectives which I do not believe are in the best interests of the 99% of entitled MERCED RIVER WATER using  (and MANDATORY CSD CUSTOMERS)   of the Lake Don Pedro subdivision.  

What KAMPA and his supporters (KOMPANY) have already done, and continue to do,  is very dishonest, which when you think about it, is a clue as to why the subjects of GROUNDWATER SUBSTITUTION and OFFICIAL DISTRICT SERVICE AREA BOUNDARIES can not make it to a meeting agenda for open and logical discussion of the facts.

 

My best to you and yours, Lew

 

 

(b) May 15th, 2017.   Guess what?  YOUTUBE now permits exceeding the 15 minute ceiling on uploads.  (Did anyone just hear a muffled gunshot?  lol)    True, for the viewer perhaps shorter is better (prevents viewer burn out) but after all the set up for one of these reports, the more I can display at once cuts down on the total preparation time. Whatever. We’ll see.

Looks like another hot one for today. So—suck in the cool morning air,  close windows, pull the shades and try to keep the cooler air inside. Indications are it is going to be another brutal summer and with all that wonderful rain and resulting vegetation the fire danger will be exceptionally high.

Oh yeah, the meeting?  Golf course inquiry as to possibly re-establishing an irrigation contract; District was required to obtain road encroachment permits for pipe repair that disturbs paving; Nitrate/arsenic reporting squared away with State and there will be no violation notice; USDA reimbursement still in progress (evidently Kampa believes the delay is their fault for not changing their requirements like the State did by suspending Environmental review regulations due to the emergency drought); $820,000-$850,000 in reserves after eventual full reimbursement according to GM; Intake booster #2 work to begin and will continue for a few weeks; District still has a 45% water loss rate; Director Ross questions agenda vs GM report discussions, and of course various public comments.  Whoopee!

My best to you and yours, Lew

My best to you and yours, Lew

 

NO!

My version of “F.O.”  DOES NOT stand for

“F@+k   OFF”!

Sure, I get carried away with my language sometimes out of frustration but this time I am only trying to suggest a way for the board and GM to express their ….. you know what? Come to think of it there is a connection with that vulgar expression and my use of the letters “F.O.”.

But I was thinking of a way the GM and Board President could answer customer questions

before they were even asked – and

without saying a word!

Think how much time that would save! Imagine how a simple new F.O. could eliminate much monthly meeting paperwork yet still clearly communicate the same sentiment to customers without having to speak or write anything!

Imagine that, just one simple reconfiguration of the F.O. and the Board/GM could achieve what they’ve been desperately trying to communicate for a very long time!

Don’t you agree?

Oh……  You don’t know what “F.O.” is huh?   (Guess I got a little a head of myself.)

F.O. DEFINITION & EXAMPLE

My best to you and yours, Lew  🙂

(a) May 15th, 2017 LDPCSD Board Meeting – Getting a late start on this meeting report.  Good day for it though.  Hot outside and quite windy – so much for spraying insecticide today (Saturday) – maybe later in the evening if the wind subsides.  Usually when the first ants make their presence known in the house the weather has changed enough to encourage their mass migration to a more comfortable environment.  “Lew’s Place”.

It’s a regular cycle and clear notice it is time to take action before their new summer quarters are occupied, however, this recent “notice” is a bit different as I know for certain many were accidentally brought in yesterday evening by yours truly.

I was outside adjusting a digital irrigation timer at dusk, which is never a quick process, and did not notice I was standing in the middle of a huge colony of ants.   Heck, I didn’t notice them until later in the recliner watching television when the first explorers discovered a nostril and ear canal.  Don’t you just hate that?  The feel of them scurrying around in your scalp? Oh well, there’s always a bright side – at least they weren’t FIRE ANTS or those regular RED ANTS whose bite can be a bit painful and irritating.  These were just the regular good ‘ol smaller black ants that “Smell like urine” – thus the nickname – PISS ANTS!   lol   [Middle English pissemyre : pisse, urine from the smell of the formic acid that they secrete]

Guess I was just too fixated on setting the darn irrigation timer correctly during the “first contact” because when I went out later to inspect the area I had no difficultly what-so-ever in smelling their delightful aroma before visually seeing the little buggers scrambling around the ground and on an Oak tree.  Of course the odor and resulting “scrambling” were likely the result of my prior boot placement right on top of their community.

Great, should I add another unpleasant task to the growing list of chores?  Like unnecessarily destroying the thriving community of another species with an unprovoked preemptive atomized chemical attack?   (Or as we humans prefer, “Spraying bugs”?)  Check out some of the research online as to the question:  “Do insects feel pain?”

Guess it’s all in the eye of the particular entomologist eh?  Or the insect under the boot?

My best to you and yours, Lew

 

PS Oh yeah the meeting…. public comment and Board President Danny Johnson’s comment explaining the “misunderstanding” regarding KAMPA’s proposed +$10,000 Map Project having already been approved by the Board of Directors.  (The project is just more BM from the GM to delay presenting the truth!)

I have been requesting 3 existing maps:   1) 1980 LAFCo LDPCSD Formation Map,  2) The Merced Irrigation District Place of Use Map per WL11395, and 3) the official State Water Resources Control Board LDPCSD District Map on file.  All three should be CLEARLY POSTED ON THE LDPCSD WEBSITE for the public.

Why on earth would PETE KAMPA & THE LDPCSD BOARD OF DIRECTORS, refuse to disclose legitimate maps for public understanding of the LDPCSD GROUNDWATER SUBSTITUTION PROGRAM for OUTSIDE PLACE OF USE transfer of MERCED RIVER WATER?

GOSH.  Something sure seems wrong.  What constitutes a SPECIAL DISTRICT like our CSD?

Four primary characteristics:

1. It is a layer of government
2. A Board of Directors governs
3. It provides services and facilities
4. It has defined boundaries

Ladies and Gentleman of the viewing audience, may I please direct your attention to #4 in the above list of district characteristics.

DEFINED BOUNDARIES

Why is GM PETE KAMPA and his BOARD OF DIRECTORS determined not to publicly acknowledge the legal service boundaries of the LAKE DON PEDRO COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT?

How can a PUBLIC AGENCY refuse to provide legitimate evidence as to their official service area?

The LAKE DON PEDRO CSD is an INDEPENDENT DISTRICT because we have our own Board of Directors.

We are currently a SINGLE FUNCTION DISTRICT  (water service), however, at formation it was intended that the LDPCSD would eventually assume responsibility for a waste water treatment plant specifically serving properties around the golf course.   That’s another whole bag of problems – a different sewer system than existed at time of the LPDCSD creation; not enough financial support from the homes currently hooked to the system; used as a leachate processing/disposing facility for Mariposa County Landfill (tanked in by trucks); early replacement of waste water system components; facility planned and constructed outside the Merced Irrigation District Place of Use per Water License 11395; things like that….but I digress)   Some districts can provide more than 15 different services.

We are an ENTERPRISE DISTRICT which means we are primarily funded through USER CHARGES  (Non-enterprise districts generally use property taxes.)   Essentially this means customers only pay for what they want and receive.

Special Districts, because they are smaller than say, a county, were supposed to be more responsive to their constituents and what they desired in the form of services, but like so many other things that get screwed up between the “good intention” design stage and “the special interest corrupted” real world functioning, here at the LAKE DON PEDRO CSD it is JUST THE OPPOSITE.

The over-whelming majority of customers of the LAKE DON PEDRO RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISION (entitled users of MERCED RIVER WATER under WL11395) have had their interests ignored in favor of property owners OUTSIDE THE LEGAL MIDPOU WHICH OUR DISTRICT HAS NO LEGAL DUTY TO PROVIDE WATER.

This District has for decades had its primary operations as a surface water treatment plant for the subdivision derailed and misguided by extremely influential real estate and speculative land development interests set on obtaining water. (Remember these folks think in terms of decades and quarter centuries whereas most of us are more than occupied with our own life span endeavors.)  In addition to the substantial waste of time, energy, and money the MANDATORY CUSTOMERS OF THE SUBDIVISION have had to fund for decades, our surface water treatment plant infrastructure has also suffered from neglect.

(When management is too busy surreptitiously planning the who, what, when, where, why and how of further water service expansion OUTSIDE THE THE LEGAL PLACE OF USE, other things will naturally suffer – like responsible maintenance, repair and replacement of vital equipment.  This is not to say responsible maintenance has never been attempted or completed through the years by conscientious employees who recognized those priorities, but rather, there was a lack of consistency or continuity in “sticking with” those priorities due to continuing external pressure by influential land development interests demanding our water on their property.)

And if that isn’t bad enough, apparently there is ABSOLUTELY NO ACCOUNTABILITY for intentional diversion from their respective positions of public trust and responsibility.   Heck, customers can not even get the BOD and their SPECIAL INTEREST GM to acknowledge some of the founding principles of what constitutes the District they SUPPOSEDLY SERVE!  (Known service boundaries and only paying for what “the legal customers” want and receive.)  Accept responsibility for their sneaky GROUNDWATER SUBSTITUTION PROGRAM WITH THE NEW EMERGENCY DROUGHT WELLS?  Oh please.

I can see why the Little Hoover Commission had recently discussed the proposition of eliminating all special districts within 10 years.  If the majority of other districts are anything like the LDPCSD, they are only decades TOO LATE!

Here’s the video:

 

BELOW are a few of the “stills”.  I try to allow sufficient

time to read the blah, blah, blah, but sometimes cut

them too short for space.

My best to you and yours, Lew

Oh no I hope not!  (lol)

Did they hear about a documented history of misrepresenting pertinent LDPCSD information to county, state and federal government entities in pursuit of the district expansion “Sneaky Pete Kampa” and his co-conspirators have wanted for decades?

What about the possible inability to tell the truth because of numerous “behind the scene” self serving negotiations with thirsty third party land developers outside the Merced Irrigation District Place of Use under WL11395?

Any information at all about KAMPA’s diabolical plan of dumping the financial burden and responsibility for an expensive GROUNDWATER SUBSTITUTION PROGRAM (required to provide this special benefit water service to land developers outside the MIDPOU) for perpetuity on the 99% of innocent and MANDATORY CSD CUSTOMERS who are entitled users of MERCED RIVER WATER in the Lake Don Pedro subdivision?

Perhaps a few off-handed derogatory observations as to how such a touted long time professional district manager seems to always be in violation of clearly established regulations regarding his GM and Board Treasurer responsibilities?

Maybe a quip that much of his “management activity” appears to only be a continuation of what he was doing 20 years ago when first beginning his infamous water career in Lake Don Pedro?

What about being brought back to LDP just in time to utilize the FAT PURSE of $1.1 Million the District had saved after near bankruptcy so he could drive the final coffin nails into his GROUNDWATER SUBSTITUTION PROGRAM for outside MIDPOU properties?

Or a choice word or two about the fact our DISTRICT HAS NEVER HAD A LEGAL DUTY TO SERVE WATER TO SUCH OMIDPOU PROPERTIES?  Which of course was also relevant 20 years ago during Pete Kampa’s first four year employment with the LDPCSD when he advocated and participated in such massive expansion?

Any harsh opinions regarding KAMPA’s ridiculous defense that he really DIDN’T UNDERSTAND THE OUTSIDE MIDPOU ISSUE during his first tour of employment despite working with a local well-known icon FOR EXPANSION OUTSIDE THE POU?

Anything about how this phony (or corrupt) professional manager (with “hands-on” past local experience) recently pretended at a monthly Board Meeting to be completely ignorant of the LDPCSD’s 17+ year responsibility to FAX a MONTHLY DETAILED MERCED RIVER WATER COMPLIANCE REPORT to the MERCED IRRIGATION DISTRICT, holder of WL11395?

What about the fact that Outside MIDPOU report which was traditionally included in the Agenda Packet was discontinued when Kampa took over, but sporadically brought back after complaints regarding its removal?

Any wild bad language rantings that KAMPA & KOMPANY have WRONGFULLY utilized District resources in their continuing effort to perpetuate, expand, and cover up this SPECIAL BENEFIT WATER FRAUD against THOUSANDS OF INNOCENT CUSTOMERS IN THE SUBDIVISION whose only mistake was the PURCHASE OF PROPERTY WHICH MADE THEM MANDATORY CUSTOMERS OF A WATER COMPANY WHERE EXISTING LAWS AND REGULATIONS ARE NOT ENFORCED FOR CUSTOMER PROTECTION?

OH GOLLY GEE ….. I SURE HOPE NOT! 🙂

Any audio notes to myself on my own recorder (regardless of possible INAPPROPRIATE LANGUAGE which may, or may not, have been used to express personal thoughts, feelings, ideas, etc.) were private and had been, and were recorded for, MY USE ONLY AND NEVER EXPECTED TO BE SHARED WITH ANYONE ELSE without my expressed permission or consent.  Is that unreasonable?

YES VIEWERS… I realize just “jumping into this” you may be a bit confused so let’s start from the very beginning shall we?  I had the distinction of being the first baby born in a new military base hospital in the mid-western state of  –  ok….maybe not that “very beginning'”…. (lol)

HOLY CRAP I DID IT AGAIN! 

Yup, I accidentally left my Olympus digital recorder sitting in the Board Room after recording the monthly regular meeting.   Perhaps I need a string taped to the unit with the other end securely tied around my waist?  Maybe an arm, leg or finger?  I’VE GOT IT!  Tongue!  Might even be of assistance in curbing some of the blah blah blah, yeah?

 

I’ve tried balancing that recorder on one of my two camera tripods but inevitably bump it and to the floor it goes.  Viewers have heard this annoying outcome a few times on both the video audio and the good ‘ol Ollie digital as it bounced and tumbled on the boardroom floor.  Fortunately the impact of the jolt is softened by the carpet and no damage has ever been detected.  Finding the right spot for the meeting recording is challenging.  Need to keep it close, yet in a decent position to catch the audio of the entire room.  Does quite well considering its size and cost.

I tried taping the unit to one of my tripods a few times (even tried at this last meeting) but due to the mini-recorder’s size that option is unacceptable.  First because the tape ends up covering, or interfering with the operation of that cluster of function buttons packed so close together on the front face, blocks the led function screen, and another drawback is that it leaves sticky adhesive behind on the recorder – again not very helpful with small sensitive buttons.  (More than once I’ve had to meticulously clean the exterior surface with cotton swabs and alcohol afterwards to prevent function keys from gooing up and sticking).

 

The reflective tape I placed on it really only helps if looking for it in the dark with a flashlight – like when forgotten while recording miscellaneous outdoor sounds, ie, weather, animals, equipment, etc.  More than once it’s been abandoned overnight sitting on a rock, tree branch, or piece of lumber while capturing the choir performance of frogs, crickets, owls, coyotes, etc.

 

Naturally when I first set up in the area of a desired audio acquisition all the sound I’m trying to capture suddenly stops due to my presence requiring me to either remain still and quiet for a few minutes for it to resume (tough one for me to sit still) or (like I normally do) leave the area and start another project while waiting for the full choir musical performance to resume.  Sometimes I forget about the recorder while preoccupied with the other projects started until later that day/night or the next, when I recall the recording attempt …… ”wonder if I caught the families of coyotes howling back and forth last night?”, or, “those screech Owls made a ruckus in the Lelands”, or, “Who knew Tarantulas had a whisper mode type communication if disturbed with an unscheduled interview?  (lol – yeah, complete BS there – just checking to see if you were still paying attention.)

 

Speaking of interviews, there are just so many interesting and very important subjects to cover and record with my good ‘ol Ollie……

<ABOVE> Initially these ladies were extremely reluctant to comment on recent unconfirmed reports of growing tension between Canine and Hen factions in the area.   Although all agreed potential for further conflict was a constant fear producing variable they also expressed relief that the cyclical nature of past retaliation between the groups appears to have declined.    Ms. Lucy (left) stated, “although we have enjoyed a relatively violence free canine/hen co-existence for some time now the environment can change quickly as it is rife with opportunities for unwanted contact and thus conflict”.    “It’s always present (the risk of violence) and very,very scary – but we just learn to live with it while trying to stay aware of our surroundings”  quipped one of the Hens wishing to remain anonymous.   Noting that any physical confrontation at this point would be a major set back to the fragile peace process in the region the ladies referenced the canine standing a short distance away (as can be seen in this interview still image) apparently quietly observing this spontaneous interview.  “Look at that behind us! Just look at that!  Maybe you can not appreciate this fact but that is not just a simple case of eavesdropping or curiosity- it is subtle intimidation by our oppressor”   With the others nodding in agreement Lucy reiterated,  “We just have to be very aware of our surroundings – yes, awareness is the key to survival”.     The canine refused comment at this time reserving the option to respond later.    

TARANTU-RATTLE NEWS SERVICE 2017

______

Ahh yes so many very important uses for my recorder to document other than LDPCSD Meetings.    🙂

Yes indeed, poor ‘Ol Ollie has had its share of abandonment issues through the years [when artificial intelligence eventually reigns such accidental abandonment by a human will be met with severe fines and/or incarceration for “unexcused E-neglect”] but I always eventually remember its location (unlike my still  AWOL digital watch of which there is little doubt when I purchase a replacement I’ll locate the old one rather quickly) and ultimately retrieve the thing but Monday’s recorder retrieval from the Board Room was different.

It still seems a bit strange, at least from the perspective of demonstrating respect for another person’s personal property while simultaneously excluding potential concerns or accusations of wrongful trespass through personal “digital information”, that the owner was not more involved with the resolution – but I digress.  (Besides nobody was asked about re-configuring our SURFACE WATER TREATMENT PLANT for special interests.)

After deciding not to tape it to my tripod again I decided the pen/eraser tray of a dry board within arm’s reach to my left was the best place.  Just on the other side of my two camera tripods and within view.  The meeting starts and proceeds straight through to the end without a break.  Upon conclusion, I was trying to hurry up and get out since a CLOSED SESSION MEETING was to follow and with another huge crowd of three customers at the meeting I didn’t want to risk getting trampled in the stampede to get out.  (Should I always identify with “lol” to avoid possible misunderstandings?-lol)

So I’m disconnecting the cameras, collapsing the legs to the two tripods, collecting paperwork, glasses, highlighter, pen, etc. cradling it all in my arms and walking out to the parking lot.  Spoke with a couple of people there for awhile (Closed Session had not started yet and board room  door was wide open) and then headed home.  (Did I mention it was in plain sight on the dry board tray?— Perhaps I should tie a bright colored balloon to it next time to remind myself?)

Once home I started unloading the stuff to bring into the house because I must start the download process for the two cameras and the digital recorder in preparation for work on the next video meeting report.  (Those video clips take quite awhile to download, but first the batteries must be recharged.)

You see, I use that complete audio recording of the meeting (from the Olympus digital recorder so callously left behind to fend for itself in enemy territory) as a chronological base line for placement of the video clips because with two cameras producing all those short video files it gets confusing as far as which is which and where they should be placed in the video report.  This is especially true when files are renamed (supposedly for convenience) to assist in quickly identifying them for what they contain.  So instead of a normal file name like “20170515_02.MOV” I’ll name it: “Barton USDA money problems”, “Lew MIDPOU and Maps”, “Victor fire hydrants”, or “Kampa misrepresents the truth”  [note: Where multiple repetitions of the same file description occur, they are followed with other identifying markers, such as:  “Kampa misrepresents truth_157”  , “Kampa refuses to answer_1369” (lol).

But if renamed it is sometimes difficult to know exactly when in the meeting that particular clip occurred for correct placement.  (Did Kampa stretch the truth right after Barton’s comment or before my ranting about the maps?)   Sure, using file properties can identify time/date if absolutely necessary but that just creates more steps and added processing time for each of the video clips.

As I’ve said before I’m  still learning but the easiest way thus far is to start every meeting report by downloading the complete meeting audio from “Ollie” and “hiding it” when not used at the bottom of the video editing file.  (Remember a while back I failed to remove that audio track and ended up with a multi- GB video file that took many hours to upload?  That was due to Ollie’s 3-4 hour “hidden” audio track and not an 8 minute video!  lol)  If while editing I lose my place in the meeting time line and do not know where a particular video clip should be placed, I drop down to the audio track and compare against the audio at the start of the video clip.  PRESTO!  I know right where it goes and just take them one at a time.  Of course I also use portions of the audio tape as “fill” between video clips in order to complete comments or the discussion at hand.  (Those old camera batteries only last so long.)

ANYWAY, I’m home unloading the pickup while promising myself I will spend some time with the dog and not jump right into a meeting report (she’s been waiting all that time for me to get back from the meeting just to watch me sit at the computer desk for many more hours? – Absolutely not!  Need some quality dog time!)  So I figured I would start battery recharging and downloading but stay outside and start some other outdoor activities including canine play time.    OK, good plan.

So I’m collecting all this stuff from the truck and it hits me…..where’s Ollie?  Interesting how such a realization can quite quickly escalate into absolute panic.   I started the search by trying to reassure myself – which was totally ineffective ….

“Calm down – you probably instinctively picked it up and simply forgot about it…. check your shirt pocket…..”

“Oh crap!  It’s not there”

“Lew.  Slow down – check the other one….”

“OH NO!  no no no…  It’s not there either……”

“Stop it, calm down… check all the pockets in your jeans….. “

(Frantically patting myself down and searching the same pockets multiple times)   “Oh shit!  CRAP!  SHIT!   ….it’s not there either!”

“HEY LEW! Slow it down and think – getting upset is not going to help —-  check the console – you always dump stuff in  there.

““NO NO NO NO NO……don’t you *&^%$#@ understand?  It’s not there either — it’s not here!  I don’t have it!

“Check between the seats and on the sides, perhaps it may have slipped between the seats or  …..”

“SHIT SHIT SHIT!  It’s not there either you stupid SOB!  Dear Lord I forgot it – must still be on the dry board tray – and it’s still recording and the board is in closed session!  Shit! Shit!  Shit!”

So I throw stuff back in the truck, quickly close all the opened doors and fly out of the driveway in route back to the CSD with a running narrative of the event playing in my head while calling myself every derogatory name in the book.  (That intro-punitive stuff again.)  And what do I hear behind me fading away as I start down the hill?  My poor dog whining and crying [Translation guess]  “HEY DUMB ASS!  YOU FORGOT TO LET ME OUT!  YOU JUST GOT HERE….WHERE ARE YOU GOING?”  [Not sure, but there may have been a threat of anonymous contact with the ASPCA as well]

Fortunately no contact with law enforcement on the way (may have exceeded the speed limit a bit…) – arrive at the CSD – director vehicles were still in the parking lot — good good good….they are still here!

Knock on the boardroom door and when answered by Director Sult I say something to the affect THERE IS A BIG PROBLEM – I LEFT MY RECORDER IN THE BOARD ROOM!  I don’t think anyone realized at first what I was saying (believing I should just pick it up, shut up, and leave) so I loudly and clearly said …it’ still running — it’s recording now!

I picked up the recorder, turned it off, and offered to stay behind until directors were able to listen with me for the end of the regular board meeting at which time the rest of that file could be destroyed.  (I figured with the board members/GM right there watching and listening up to the end of the meeting, the recorder could be activated to record and left somewhere to overwrite whatever closed session material may have been recorded.)  Director Sult thanked me for returning, advising the board and being honest about the recorder still running.  He advised the board would take care of the matter and the recorder returned to me later, which it was.

Unfortunately, rather than recording over anything that may have been objectionable regarding the closed session I was advised the board  had erased the entire 3-1/2 +/- regular meeting along with whatever may have followed.  OK, certainly the most expeditious but it still  surprised me.  I do not know how this was done, who or how many were involved in the deletion of that file, or if other private recordings on the recorder were listened to in locating he offending file.  (Surely no one would copy anything for later review.)  Although I was not allowed to be present as originally suggested, I would certainly hope anything done with my recorder was done in the presence of the entire board of directors and GM.  Personally, had I been on that board and could have influenced the decision – whatever was decided to be done would have been done in front of the owner of the recorder especially since other personal information NEVER INTENDED FOR REVIEW BY OTHERS was also on that recorder.  Do you know what I mean? Kind of like an insurance policy against the possibility of some objecting owner later saying extremely important information had been accidentally/intentionally destroyed, reviewed or copied?

Either that or make another separate recording of the entire “file deletion process” documenting no trespass was intentionally committed through information which was unrelated to the meeting recording.  I honestly do not know what was on that recorder as I do not have a consistent plan for clearing the recorder of old files.  Obviously I have deleted many files through the years for necessary space to continue creating new ones, but what was on there at the time?  Anybody’s guess.

So who knows what was possibly heard, deleted, or copied without my knowledge or approval?   I use that recorder for all sorts of non related CSD stuff also and what the board did, and the way they did it, leaves me with the same feeling as if someone had rifled through my desk drawers or computer files outside my presence.

YES! Absolutely correct – it was my fault for leaving the darn thing there, but that is not what I am trying to express right now – Was there legitimate respect demonstrated for another person’s personal property?  Could there have been some kind of “SNEAKY PETE SNEAK PEEK?”  lol  Take it a step further back too – if PETE KAMPA had not done, (and continues to do) that which he does so well (being dishonest about his activities and goals) I wouldn’t be attending these embarrassing bullshit meetings in the first place – much less wasting all this time recording and reporting on exactly what he is – someone who cheats to get what he wants while exploiting an unorganized disadvantaged community with near 40 years of turmoil over water service.  And to top it off, Kampa was directly involved and participated in that mess 20 years ago which only made matters worse.  And now, like a “bad penny” he turns up again to push for expansion.

I don’t suppose any of you recall how Mr. “Sneaky Pete” Kampa was actually appointed to the GM position and started re-configuring our surface water treatment plant?  You see, back in September of 2014…………..

(naw, just joshing with ya.)

On Tuesday May 16^th, 2017,(day after the board meeting) I drove to the office and filled out the LDPCSD form requesting a copy of the May 15^th, Board Meeting audio CD.  Don’t know when or how much it will cost.  Received the CD at no cost this afternoon – Thursday, May 18th, 2017!  Yes, I do have video clips with audio but (as stated) without that basic audio track the process would have been much more difficult.  Whatever.  Maybe we’ll just “bounce around the meeting” this time?  You know, something like “THE BEST OF SNEAKY PETE?” “SMASH HITS of Kampa Krapa 2014-2017?”  “SNEAKY PETE, THEN AND NOW”,  etc.  lol

Life in the People’s Republic of Lake Don Pedro?

Perhaps a simple and clear warning manual should be developed?

“HISTORY OF UNDISCLOSED, THUS UNKNOWN, PROPOSED KNOWN DISCLOSURES AFFECTING LDPOA PROPERTY & LDPCSD WATER SERVICE WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON THEIR RESPECTIVE LEGAL & FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES”

clear as mud eh?  lol

 

My best to you and yours, Lew

PS:  Live and learn.  Perhaps a piece of “low tech” colorful yarn attached to the recorder is a good idea after all, eh?  Later.