Hello!  I have a bunch of stuff to do but wanted to pass on some of the important particulars of yesterday’s meeting….

Three meeting attendees: two customers and the LDPCSD Auditor.  Another packed board room.

The Chief Plant Operator Randy Gilgo was absent.

Full board (one a little late).

I read Wes Barton’s letter into the record during public comment (posted yesterday) and followed with mine below (yeah, I know, blah, blah, blah …)

“Oath Sworn Directors have a duty to this District to abide by CALIFORNIA STATE LAW in the performance of their elected/appointed positions.  Contrary to this duty, directors have rarely asked PERTINENT often OBVIOUS – COMMON SENSE QUESTIONS regarding the special interest direction GM/TREASURER PETE KAMPA and his limited liability management company has pushed this public agency.  The board’s dereliction of duty began in October 2014 with the failure to perform a routine employment background check prior to KAMPA (and company) being appointed as GM/TREASURER and provided access to over one million dollars saved after near bankruptcy.  Despite the total destruction of the LDPCSD Admin Office in February 2012, even a simple “in house” review of existing records would have clearly revealed KAMPA’s many PAST MISREPRESENTATIONS of the Place of Use issue when first employed here between 1993-1997 when very busy pushing LAFCO annexations into this district.  The Board’s failure to “represent the interests of the MERCED RIVER WATER ENTITLED CUSTOMERS OF THE LDP SUBDIVISION” have not only continued but have escalated in severity.   Even after many public meeting requests spanning over a year for the Board and/or GM to simply contact the STATE WATER BOARD and obtain the OFFICIAL PLACE OF USE MAP FOR MERCED RIVER WATER, directors rejected those COMMON SENSE REQUESTS choosing instead to continue following the district management direction established by Kampa.   This board has consistently approved the use of District resources for Kampa to continue attempts at completing what he started 20 years earlier with the many LAFCO ANNEXATIONS that could not develop without an ALTERNATE SOURCE – OF GROUNDWATER PRODUCTION.  Even a 900 acre proposed residential subdivision right across the road here was quietly approved in 1995 during Kampa’s first tour but actively kept a secret from the public until only a few months prior to Kampa’s unethical return in 2014.  Even today KAMPA once again requests the board to approve an extremely suspicious annual audit WITHOUT EVEN READING IT which has already been the subject of multiple corrective revisions for several months.  Unanimous board decisions mean little when dedicated to violating both the trust of customers and the law. You should all be ashamed, with the noted exception of newcomer Director Mrs. Sperry.”

AUDIT PRESENTATION – HOW ABOUT SOME “UP FRONT” SURPRISINGLY GOOD NEWS FOR A CHANGE?

The Board  DID NOT “BLINDLY” accept GM/TREASURER KAMPA’s suggested motion of approving the audit without reading the material!  (That suggested approval motion by KAMPA is not only outrageous but quite revealing as to another of his traditional methods of operation.) CONTROLLER’S  REPORT – additional information from prior years due to a new system being used by Controller.   During a JOURNAL ENTRY ADJUSTMENT discussion Kampa interrupted to explain a possible explanation for project discrepancies that were apparently identified in the audit that he meant to address the year before.

I asked about the significance of unsigned certificates in the agenda packet regarding assurance of sufficient funds to operate for the next six months – Kampa stated they only had to be signed quarterly and were just routinely included with the other material.  (Still think they would look better signed –or left out completely.)

The audit material will be sent to customers receiving electronic packet information (have you – you know what?) and will also be posted on the LDPCSD website.

Another pleasant surprise…..Kampa’s suggested motion of including WORKERS’ COMPENSATION COVERAGE FOR VOLUNTEERS WORKING FOR THE DISTRICT ALSO DID NOT PASS.  (KAMPA admitted there have been no such volunteers as of yet nor were any expected.)

I have been told that some time back there were volunteers working on a Financial Committee and assisting the district with financial matters – but not performing maintenance tasks.  I made a comment that such a plan was once again “putting the cart before the horse” and could easily result in much higher costs if volunteer “accidents” were to occur.

EDUCATING DIRECTORS

Regarding training for directors by the Special District Leadership Academy in Seaside, (an associate organization of the CALIFORNIA SPECIAL DISTRICTS ASSOCIATION which Kampa has been an active board member for approximately 20 years, I confirmed my support for educating directors – however, questioned what good such training would actually be IF STATE LAW could not be followed by directors or the GM?   Think about that for a moment….

PETE KAMPA is a “professional “ SPECIAL DISTRICT MANAGER AND OWNER OF KAMPACS, aka, KAMPA COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS (a SPECIAL DISTRICT MANAGEMENT LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY) ……  was previously employed at the LDPCSD between 1993-1997 working extensively on annexing much more property into the LDPCSD service area – whose land development projects would be dependent upon a GROUNDWATER SUBSTITUTION PROGRAM THAT DID NOT  EXIST YET.

Kampa has also been a board member on one of the most (if not the most) powerful and influential “not for profit” water lobbying organizations in the State of California for about 20 years – yet this “professional” explains to state regulatory agencies that there has been confusion for many years regarding the PLACE OF USE MAP for MERCED RIVER WATER per WL11395?

Additionally, consider that MR KAMPA was also apparently unable to read and comprehend the clear restrictive terms cited in that license which the LAKE DON PEDRO CSD has used since formation in 1980 to provide water to customers.

But wait…..Didn’t PETE KAMPA recently receive a TRANSPARENCY AWARD from a BIG NOT FOR PROFIT WATER ORGANIZATION?

So I wonder….

what good is specialized education without the personal and/or

business integrity to properly use it for the public’s benefit?

THE BIG ISSUE:  Although GM KAMPA refused to discuss aspects of the POU VIOLATION in his digital map presentation it was never-the-less confirmed that he has indeed sent that SAME INCORRECT DISTRICT POU BOUNDARIES TO THE STATE WATER BOARD IN RESPONSE TO THEIR SEPTEMBER 28^th, 2017 NOTICE OF VIOLATION REGARDING POU RESTRICTIONS.

I am still amazed that directors have difficultly answering simple questions like:

DID YOU READ THE NOTICE OF VIOLATION?  (Board President Danny Johnson said he “scanned it”.

DID YOU UNDERSTAND THAT THE NOV CLEARLY DETAILED WHAT THE OFFICIAL POU WAS?

HAVE YOU LOOKED AT THE JUNE 1977 MAP ON THE WALL, WHICH ALTHOUGH ILLUSTRATING INCORRECT INFORMATION REGARDING “RESERVED WATER” FOR NUMEROUS LAFCO ANNEXATIONS, DID IN FACT CORRECTLY ILLUSTRATE THE LDP SUBDIVISION AS THE LEGAL POU – again, according to the STATE NOTICE OF VIOLATION?

(NOTE: That incorrect “reserved water” illustration on the June 1977 map also included the 1995 LAFCO approved 900 acre “slumbering subdivision” Kampa has actively kept a secret from the public since his 2014 return.   Incorrect maps are still being displayed on the LAKE DON PEDRO CSD website despite the contradicting factual information contained in the September 2017 STATE WATER BOARD NOV.)

Another closed session under GOVT CODE 54956.95  for PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION  (I asked for clarification of this Government Code Section as it appears to deal with district liability loss from potential law suits – President Johnson made a note of the request stating it would be addressed at the next meeting.)

REPORT OUT FROM CLOSED SESSION:

Just had a little bit of hail!  Naturally now that I’ve picked up all the tools it will likely clear up requiring them to be hauled back out for “good weather” work– but had I left them out….well you know – lol

My best to you and yours, Lew

I am sorry I will be missing the meeting, this may bring my absents over ½ dozen since 2006-2007.

It is Necessary, however. 

I am going to comment on your “audit” agenda item 5b, only.  If ever I’ve seen a pure “Kampa-ism”, this

Is It.  “I’ll put the check in the mail after you cash it”; “trust me”!     Sorry Pete, I for one do not trust you!

The difference between me and the folks you often “snooker” is I do understand you and your “model”

Of “talk and paper and talk and paper and talk and etc.”

[WES BARTON/lakedonpedro.file photo]

I have also studied business and practiced good Business; I know right from wrong and maybe.  I must say I have learned, from you,  how you take an honest

But weak organization, use its ignorance to con government and “crony” players to benefit you and said players.

Leaving the weak organization as an even weaker organization that fears leaving your bosom for you have exploited their weaknesses and destroyed any confidence that may have brought them to this organization with desire to serve the community.  Pete, you are something else!

Just glancing at the financial info you are providing this month shows a discrepancy must exist between the CSD periodic records and a proper audit any professional level accountant might prepare.  After the fourth Year of auditing an organization to now ask for 10 years of past records is near unbelievable, except here, by

Our “auditor”.    Ask your auditor if he is under investigation for audits of 2015, 2016 for questionable reports.  I’ve told you earlier, State Auditor has referred this CSD to the State’s local high-risk audit team, too.  It took a long time for the State to look at CSD’s water rule, boundaries  but they finally did.  Your accounting and

Financial controls structures are probably in “deep do-do” too.  Pete, knowing that there is not a person in the walls of CSD that can properly read financials, he is offering all an out by sticking their heads in the sand (or another way of saying it is to sign off on the audit before reading and you won’t see the audit again).

Note: I’ll try to keep it alive, however, until it passes the “stink test”; Nellie, I don’t know your background.   Hope I didn’t insult you with my comments; I do know the others.

I pray that the Board will remember Pete’s character  when they review his fairy tale presentation in the closed Meeting today, too.

PS Syndie, please give Nellie a copy, thanks

EXCERPTS FROM THE FEB 21 2018 PACKET,

THEN MIGHT I SUGGEST MUNCHING THROUGH THE ENTIRE ENCHILADA BELOW? lol

COVER LETTER TO ELECTRONIC AGENDA PACKET

(Ask for yours yet?  They might make nice souvenirs?)

AGENDA PACKET HIGHLIGHTS CURIOUS ACTIVITY

Page 1:  

Agenda Item 5.b. (more below regarding this highly suspicious proposal)

Kampa proposes ACCEPTING “LATE AUDIT REPORT” WITHOUT ANY ADEQUATE REVIEW? 

Typical Kampa method of operation – QUICK!  HURRY!  TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!

Approve without a semblance of reasonable attention! 

That’s what got us into this KAMPA KOMPANY KRAP!

Page 7:  

39%

TREATED WATER LOSS FOR JANUARY 2018

NATURALLY NO OUTSIDE PLACE OF USE REPORT AGAIN

who knows what the raw water  loss between McClure and treatment plant might be?

Page 13

Yet another unsigned certification of adequate revenue for next six months?

Page 23

 WILL BOARD ACCEPT KAMPA’S RIDICULOUS PROPOSED MOTION?

“I MOVE TO ACCEPT THE 2016/2017 ANNUAL AUDIT”

 WITHOUT READING OR STUDYING THE MATERIAL FOR ACCURACY?

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$   START IMPORTANT BACK TRACK 411   $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$  

RECALL THE LAST AUDITOR’S VISIT WITH THE WRONG FINANCIAL INFORMATION ALREADY PREPARED AND FORMALLY BOUND FOR BOARD “SNAP” APPROVAL?

SAID THEY WERE GOING TO MAKE CORRECTIONS FOR A LATER APPROVAL – YET THE MOTION ON THE MATTER MADE NO MENTION OF THE NECESSARY CORRECTIVE CHANGES TO BE MADE FOR IT TO BE CORRECT?

I AM NOT POSITIVE, BUT BELIEVE THERE WERE TWO OTHER  OCCASIONS FOR SUCH NECESSARY AUDIT CHANGES SO THIS WOULD BE THE THIRD TIME.

AND WHAT DOES PETE KAMPA NOW PROPOSE IN THIS RESOLUTION?  

FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO ONCE AGAIN IGNORE THEIR FIDUCIARY DUTY TO THIS DISTRICT AND BLINDLY TAKE PETE KAMPA’S WORD THAT THE NUMBERS ARE CORRECT AND NECESSARY CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE TO PRODUCE AN ACCURATE AUDIT? 

Seems to me common sense would dictate a responsible review of this very important financial information prior to approval –

ESPECIALLY AFTER MULTIPLE FAILED ATTEMPTS TO APPROVE IT WITH MISTAKES!

 OLD POST WITH A VIDEO OF THE “KAMPA MOTION OF AUDIT APPROVAL” (WITHOUT MENTION OF THE CORRECTIONS TO BE MADE) AND WES BARTON’S COMMENTS ON RELATED FINANCIAL MATTERS:

LINK BELOW

There he (WES BARTON) Goes Again! and Thank You!

LINK TO VIDEO OF KAMPA AUDIT MOTION WITH POST:

<<<VIDEO of motion with original POSTING  >>>

 $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$  END IMPORTANT BACK TRACK 411 – RETURN TO FEB 21 2018   $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$  

Page 26

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION COVERAGE FOR DIRECTORS and

ALL PERSONS PERFORMING VOLUNTARY SERVICES

(Wonder if the 3-4 hard core meeting CUSTOMER ATTENDEES might qualify as DISTRICT VOLUNTEERS FOR COVERAGE?  lol)

Future WORKERS’ COMPENSATION for medical/psychological/psychiatric assistance due to the stress and discomfort involved in running a CSD the KAMPA KOMPANY WAY? 

(aka, cheating and exploiting the far majority of customers may be easy for some of these directors but the “getting caught” part might be a bit uncomfortable.)

Perhaps ADDITIONAL INSURANCE COVERAGE while wining and dining with KAMPA’S CSDA ASSOCIATES ON THESE PROPOSED “EDUCATIONAL JAUNTS”?

Page 29:  PRESENTATION OF COMPLETED DIGITAL “REPRESENTATION” of infrastructure, boundaries and related data  (Recall one of the reasons KAMPA’s $35,000 DIGITAL MAPPING PROJECT WAS DESIRABLE?  

Because it would be so easy to make paper copies for distribution – right?

JUST ANOTHER KAMPA MEETING “SAND BAGGING”

Why no paper copies of these KAMPA INFLUENCED MAPS (based on highly suspicious 24+ year old “shape file” information from an abandoned project when KAMPA was employed here between 1993-1997) in the agenda packet so CUSTOMERS COULD REVIEW THESE “DIGITAL REPRESENTATIONS” PRIOR TO THE WEDNESDAY MEETING?  

Kampa is apparently still pushing the infrastructure constructed for LAFCo annexed properties (and others?) that are OUTSIDE THE WATER LICENSE PLACE OF USE according to the STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

Alright then. There it is.  Still a little hungry?

Below is the whole greasy meal!

My best to you and yours, Lew

MEISU

Guess we are all “broken records” to one extent or another when passionate about someone or a particular subject, issue, cause, etc…  A friend gently reminded me once again that I often invoke examples of things younger viewers may not appreciate due to my advancing age and their lack of experience with the activities I grew up with and reference  ….ah, ok – lol.

“Broken record”… those old flat vinyl grooved analog recordings utilizing a needle to transmit the sound through the “record player” or “turn table” to the amplifier, then out through the speakers (simplistic explanation).  Old time records if not handled carefully could get scratched causing that “stereotypic” (cute play huh?) repeating “click” and scratchy sound as the needle (traveling in the spinning groove) hit the damaged surface of the record.  Sometimes if the damage was severe enough, the needle would get stuck repeating the same snippet of music over, and over, and over, and over, and over,  …..

JUST LIKE ME AND THIS MERCED RIVER WATER PLACE OF USE STUFF!

   Lol 

True, Pete Kampa has also been a “broken record” on the subject of OUTSIDE POU use under WATER LICENSE 11395 for a much longer time (over 20 years) and for CLEARLY DIFFERENT MOTIVES, yet I don’t believe that is the most important distinction which defines our  adversarial- and repetitive “broken record” perspectives.

The way I see it is this – (you knew it was coming right?)   there is absolutely nothing wrong with repeating something you believe in (with heart AND mind) in a sincere attempt to influence others into appreciating your perspective and gathering necessary support for related activities.  However, if the repeated information being used is not truthful or worse yet, intentionally designed and masterfully used to misrepresent the truth to deceive others into a position of detriment or loss, well, that is not devotion or passion but simple propaganda – or repeated information designed to influence others for various nefarious purposes benefiting the one purveying the untruths, and/or the interests of those hidden behind the scenes that the “untruthful agent”  represents.

Simply put, any “deal” designed, dependent upon and sustained through untruths is likely not in the best interest of those being actively deceived.

Certainly not a rocket science sort of revelation, and as semi-recent cartoon character Homer Simpson might exclaim,

“Duh!”

My best to you and yours, Lew

My best to  you and yours, Lew