Cloud formations and rain slowly pass through the Central Valley at dusk on Sunday.

 

My best to you and yours, Lew

The Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines widget as “an unnamed article considered for purposes of hypothetical example”.

You may have seen the term used in legal discussions where the item of discussion is less important than the governing principles relating to that, and similar items.    I am using the term in this post to describe an actual product I was going to purchase online yet, due to what I felt were unfair selling techniques, cancelled the purchase.   Since I really do not know about the quality of the item I do not want to dissuade or negatively influence other potential purchasers with my comments about this item.   So widget will have to do.  You know, I still wonder if I may have passed on a good product but refuse to reward what I believe to be an unfair purchasing process.

[Gee, wouldn’t it be great if, as taxpayers, we did not have to financially support activities which intentionally circumvent and/or violate existing law and approved procedures?]

ALREADY OWNED A FEW BUT….

Actually I already owned a few of these widgets and although they all worked to one degree or another, they were manufactured by different companies and varied greatly as to quality, dependability and cost so I was already “passively looking” for one that possessed all the desirable qualities of a good, dependable “widget” at a reasonable price.

ADVERTISEMENT WAS IMPRESSIVE

Like any good ad, after reading the manufacturer’s claims I wanted to purchase one and started the online purchasing process.  The slightly different approach should have alerted me that something wasn’t right, but after all, to acquire such a great widget certain allowances might be made for the typical exaggerated claims of new technology, limited time offer, and discounts for multiple purchases – right?

The first page of the order process contained an initial confirmation that a customer wanted to purchase a widget at a greatly reduced price.  Essentially, “want to save N% on the purchase of this great item?”   The second page contained the more traditional questions in an order process:

1)      Select the number of widgets to purchase (another sliding scale discount increased with volume of widgets to be ordered)

2)      Contact information,  name, telephone number

3)      Shipping address, and of course,

4)      Credit card information.

PRETTY STANDARD HUH?

BUT THEN, after all the above information had been submitted, another page offered other desirable options for the widget(s) each with their additional costs.  Please realize these options were only made known AFTER credit card information had been entered and there was no opportunity to page back, modify, question, or even cancel the order and the seller already had all necessary information to complete a transaction.  [Except for one aspect which is crucial to an above-board legitimate sales process:  the purchaser’s clear understanding as to what was offered, purchased, and for what price.]

Suddenly, a customer is stuck in an order trap with nowhere to go but forward with each additional step (if accepted) increasing the purchase price.  No back button.  No second chance to confirm order.  No escape.

PERFORMED AS INTENDED?

You know, suddenly changing your mind about some aspect of an intended purchase is another BIG CLUE that should prompt more careful scrutiny as to what you’re doing.  When initially offered multiple widgets for a discounted price (selection must be made before continuing the process and learning more) I chose to get two instead of one.  But again, as mentioned above, AFTER SUBMITTING PAYMENT INFORMATION I was advised of other desirable options that, had I been aware of in the first place, would have resulted in the purchase of only one widget with all available options.  Ahhhh, too late!  There was no opportunity to return to the number of widgets selection so if these new and desirable options were to be added to the sale a customer would have to incur additional costs on every widget purchased at discount.  Not a fair or reasonable process at all.

MORE TRADITIONAL BAIT

Compare this with all the ads we see and hear on television for miscellaneous items – “BUT WAIT!  IF YOU ORDER RIGHT NOW WE WILL INCLUDE  …..  blah, blah, blah — for only blah blah blah! …. That’s a blah blah blah SAVINGS FOR YOU IF YOU ORDER NOW!”

But there’s the rub – the phrase “BUT WAIT” is followed by clearly disclosing what the additional options are PRIOR TO OBTAINING PAYMENT INFORMATION with a built-in guarantee of concluding a transaction up to that point regardless of option choice.

The only thing missing from this deal, which is very important in my mind, is the purchaser’s clear understanding as to what they were purchasing and for how much.  There was no “meeting of the minds” if you will.

WHAT NOW?

After searching for an escape route and finding none I abruptly left the site and immediately contacted my credit card company because I was concerned about the seller already possessing my credit card information.   Yup, you guessed it, even though I bailed on the rest of the process the charge had already been made for the purchase of two widgets up to that point.  I was pissed  and explained to the credit card representative exactly how the process worked and why I believed it was unethical.  The representative agreed with my position but since the transaction had already been received and processed if the seller would not voluntarily removed the charge I would have to dispute the transaction later – after payment.  Obviously the next step was to contact the seller through the listed telephone number on the website.

RING…..RING…..RING…..RING…..RING…..

I called the telephone number and waited for a human being to answer while repeatedly being offered the opportunity to just leave a message.  Are you kidding me?  If I don’t trust your sales techniques why would I believe you would actually call me back to hear a complaint?  Yes indeed, I wanted to speak with a living breathing representative of that company – besides I already had a very good idea as to why this company was currently experiencing a higher call volume.  Over forty minutes I waited during which time I “prepared my case” as to why the order should be cancelled.

ASTONISHED DISBELIEF

The representative started with disbelief as to my dissatisfaction with the ordering process since all components of a “good sale” were present.  I explained the problem was not WHAT information had been exchanged, but rather, it was the chronological order of the steps in the process that were unethical and essentially a purchase trap.  Eventually the representative agreed to cancel the order but not until making one last pitch for an even larger discount on the two widgets.  I must give them credit for tenacity but my distrust was solidified and I insisted on the cancellation.  I called my credit card company and confirmed the cancellation had been processed.

Here’s the final paragraph of a letter I subsequently wrote to the company.

“I was disappointed that a conscious effort to purchase “MADE IN USA” was over-shadowed with a feeling of being “had” with piecemeal information.  If this process was a result of a simple design or programming error on the website, it should be corrected ASAP.   If it was by design, shame, shame, shame.”

 

JUST HUMAN NATURE

Do you know what one of the major trademarks is of a good con job?  [Con refers to confidence which is required for the “Mark” or victim to take the bait.]   Answer:  The EMBARRASSMENT of admitting they fell for it in the first place!  That is precisely why so many such scams go unreported, and thus continue to exist.

“THERE’S A SUCKER BORN EVERY MINUTE”

[VICTIM: “Hey!  I paid $100 for this Rolex but it isn’t really gold and it stopped working completely!  I’ve been swindled!”   Law Enforcement Officer taking the report:  “Where did you buy this watch?”   VICTIM:  “From a guy in the alley behind the casino who desperately needed money for bus fare out of town because his wife and kids were …. “ ]

Ever hear the expressions:  “Larceny of the heart”, “You can’t cheat an honest person”, or “if it seems too good to be true it probably is”?  All revolve around the concept of a fair deal being understood on both sides of the equation, seller as well as the buyer.   If a buyer believes (or is encouraged to believe) they are getting away with something sneaky or ostensibly beneficial only to them, they also are not being honest and their own pursuit of greed actually facilitates their being cheated.  They had larceny of the heart.

THIS WAS A DIFFERENT FLAVOR

The widgets were not inexpensive (and may indeed be good products) but not disclosing available options PRIOR to selecting the number of items to purchase AND submitting payment information (with no modification or escape opportunity) were literally deal breakers for me.

SO WHAT’S THE POINT?

So what is the point of belaboring this insignificant cancelled purchase of a couple of widgets?

A few points actually.

I haven’t posted anything in a while and I thought the story made a good Caveat Emptor (let the buyer beware) reminder.  Heck, it might even help someone else avoid an unwanted purchase by recognizing a similar “purchase trap”.

The payment cancellation was a minor victory over one of the many things in life most would consider unfair, deceptive, or outright dishonest.  Unfortunately, many folks (for one reason or another) do not challenge such business tactics.  Maybe some feel the further frustration in such a challenge isn’t worth the trouble?  You know, “suck it up” as a lesson learned and be more careful next time.  I seriously considered that alternative but the question was:  Would simply letting the purchase go through, (less than $100), be easier than the exasperation experienced with multiple telephone calls, wait times, and speaking with a company sales representative trained to make objecting callers feel unreasonable?  For me the answer was no because I am pretty sure every time I would use one of those widgets (if they worked as advertised) I would chastise myself for not objecting right off instead of purchasing something I really did not want.

A good deal will sell itself just as unethical activity will breed customer distrust.

 

 

My best to you and yours, Lew

 

PS: This widget business also reminds me of the LAKE DON PEDRO COMMUNITY SERVICES’ DISTRICT (LDPCSD) aka [“the water company”] and how customers are apparently anticipated to just “suck it up” once again when it comes to a significant rate increase to fund the consequences of some questionable decisions.   Sounds like a subject requiring some illumination huh?

 

I observed my first “Hillary for ” sign displayed in a central valley farmyard in late November of 2015.

Passing the sign in my truck I wasn’t sure at first what I had seen in the blur of red, white and blue or what it had actually advocated.  I did wonder however, who would publicly advertise their support for such a person to be president of the United States considering the ever increasing evidence that she does not tell the truth and likely jeopardized our country’s security with her intentional mishandling of secret information through her non-government private computer server.   (Recent national news reports now indicate Hillary’s server also included information with the designation SAP – Special Access Program – touted as the highest form of government top secret information.)

Continuing down the rural county road something bothered me about the sign – the word following “Hillary for” didn’t appear to be long enough for the traditional, and expected,  word “president” – but what the heck was it?

A U-turn, short back-track, and second look revealed the message.  I laughed, took a photograph, and returned home to look up the website.  Ultimately I ordered a few items (in addition to the yard sign) for my collection of humorous political advertisements.  Naturally, like with anything else in public demand, there was a bit of a wait in receiving the merchandise, but worth the time.

Hummm….  TIME.   Something Hillary probably should do.

My best to you and yours, Lew

MERCED RIVER ONLY ON NEW MAP (NOTE HORSESHOE BEND)

 

Although the old map (top) is a different type and scale I’m sure you still got the point – McClure is not illustrated or even noted on the new 2014 map.  Seems a bit harsh.  Surely it would not have distracted from the new map’s accuracy to simply note the lake’s prior existence parenthetically –   (former Lake McClure).

Oh well, maybe next year.  Or the year after that.  Or the following…..maybe…..

 

My best to you and yours, Lew

This morning I was checking out the ISS (International Space Station) live view website, which permits the viewer to not only see where the ISS is located in real time, but to also zoom up on previous images of the area.  WOW!  It’s like taking a mini-vacation.

So, guess what location I coincidentally observed at approximately 1059 hours this morning?

La Grange, Australia!

No fooling.   When I switched to the image of the area and zoomed up on the approximate ISS path, there it was, La Grange Australia.  The La Grange Bay airport is just east of the town and west of the Great Northern HWY. Check out the colorful waters and geography around the peninsula west of Red Islet, absolutely beautiful.  At 1108 hours it passed over Tasmania.  1110 hours between New Zealand and Adams Island. On to Europe! A 24/7 show.

My Best to You and Yours, Lew

The web address is http://iss.astroviewer.net

 

 AGENDA ITEM h:
“APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION RESCINDING RESOLUTION 2013-4 REGARDING THE PROHIBITION OF COMMITTING WATER SUPPLY OUTSIDE THE MERCED IRRIGATION DISTRICT’S LAKE McCLURE WATER SUPPLY PLACE OF USE.”

Hello folks—-Wow!  Maybe not a surprise but it sure didn’t take very long did it?  not so lol

NO MORE OMIDPOU REPORTS?

NO MORE LIMITATIONS ON OUTSIDE SERVICE?

Even though the traditional MIDPOU reports (previously contained in the monthly LDPCSD agenda packets that identified where and how much water was being used outside the legal areas approved by Merced Irrigation District) STOPPED IMMEDIATELY AFTER PETE KAMPA took the reins of district leadership, I honestly thought he and his water thirsty friends OUTSIDE THE LEGAL USE AREA would at least wait until the drought emergency was over. Or did they actually wait?

Come on now Lew….that isn’t actually correct.  Sure sometimes the monthly agenda packet didn’t have the Outside MIDPOU figures (November 10th & December 15th), but hey, a lot was going on with this EMERGENCY WATER SITUATION AND THE DROUGHT!  Besides the January 20th packet filled in those numbers with a complete accounting from December 2013 to December 2014!  Relax dude, enjoy life.

HAVE FURTHER OMIDPOU CONNECTIONS ALREADY BEEN MADE?

Were further OMIDPOU water service connections already installed on properties but the public was unaware since the OMIDPOU reports were suspiciously excluded from the public agenda? (This could easily be researched if appropriate records were kept and allowed to exist as public business records – yet based on past funny business I certainly wouldn’t hold my breath.)

Who knows what is going on but again,  just because the agenda packets for the February 19th, (which was a special meeting to replace the regular meeting which was to be held on Feb 16th), March 16th, April 20th, or May 18th 2015 meetings didn’t have the OMIDPOU reports -that doesn’t necessarily mean anything sneaky was taking place.  Come on now.  Everyone was busy with this blasted drought and trying to conserve our precious water.  Besides, who really cares about how much water is being used outside the legal place of use?

Is this proposed resolution to rescind Resolution 2013-4 (which prohibited further expansion) merely a legal formality to cover up recent violations of that prohibition? Please do not forget Resolution 2013-4 was clearly supported by our attorney, water engineers, ground well sustainability reports, basic common sense, not to mention every bill paying customer who believes only those properties specifically entitled to Merced River water should receive such.

Whether or not there are current plans to expand the district’s boundaries with these expensive ground wells which constitute “an alternative source of water” unless work has been completed in outside areas with CSD funds or water is already being delivered, it doesn’t matter.

True, it does seem a bit strange that after not having the OMIDPOU REPORT for four months — suddenly there is a proposal to rescind Resolution 2013-4, but again, who really cares?  So what if the district is expanded into outside MIDPOU areas and must develop more ground wells to supply that need?  You must remember, most of the customers up here simply do not care and are willing to pay more money for their water service to encourage the growth that comes with subsidized water.   Again, take a deep breath, relax.  Enjoy life.

MAYBE MID AND STATE AUTHORITIES HAVE CHANGED RULES?

Unless MID (Merced Irrigation District) has already rewritten the water service contract with the district under Water License 11395 issued to it (MID) by the SWRCB (State Water Resources Control Board) and the former has reinterpreted the prohibitions against serving Merced River water to outside MIDPOU properties, why on earth would the district do such a foolish thing during one of the worst droughts in California history with such obvious risky and extremely expensive ground wells?

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE GREED OF OTHERS

I incorrectly figured Pete Kampa and the Directors that follow and support his district water service expansion plans (clearly evidenced prior to Kampa leaving LDPCSD service the first time in the 1990s) would have at least waited to see if our community had enough water to sustain it through this unprecedented drought. You know, until the next rains actually materialized.

Serving 35 – 36 OMIDPOU properties that are already connected is one thing, but why commit further water service into other currently prohibited areas during this nasty drought?

Perhaps I underestimated the audacity, arrogance and corrupt politics of those individuals trusted with the management of this communities’ liquid gold?  Where’s the fiduciary duty to the district and its current customers?

EMERGENCY GROUND WATER WELLS –good money after bad?

The apparent use of these emergency ground water wells (that were ostensibly constructed to guarantee legal Merced River water users would have enough water during this drought) to just add more properties outside the legal use area is EXTREMELY DISINGENUOUS and EXACTLY what I feared and warned against.

True, the newly installed ground wells are an alternative source of water, but they were clearly constructed (and the public was repeatedly told this) under the concept of an ALTERNATIVE EMERGENCY WATER SOURCE needed to ensure water for the current customers – NOT TO EXPAND DISTRICT SERVICE TO PROPERTIES WITHOUT WATER OR ENTITLED TO MERCED RIVER WATER!
STANDING ON NEW DAM – OLD EXCHEQUER PEEKS OUT FROM DROPPING WATER IN 2013

NOW COMPARE THE WATER DROP BETWEEN THE TWO DAMS IN 2015 [You will have to click on the photo and use the slide bar to position the image]

IS YOUR THINKING CAP ON AND FUNCTIONING?

SO what do you think will happen when many more properties are brought into district service using these “iffy” and expensive ground wells and they go dry? You got it! Once service is provided the district can’t take it away.  It will become a nightmare of reoccurring new well digging emergencies……

WELCOME GROUND WATER SUBSTITUTION FOR SURFACE WATER TRANSFERS FOR PERPETUITY!

Dig more wells, add more properties, dig more wells, add more properties, dig more….

All the while the basic honest customers (whose only mistake was buying property in an area where corruption and low information voting trumps common sense) will continue to pay the added costs for the increased property values of those OMIDPOU properties who finally got what they needed for exponential growth in business and personal wealth…..our water!  Best part for these water thirsty outsiders?  99% of the LDPCSD customers will continue to pay for the expansion – whether they want it or not.

TYPICAL BAIT AND SWITCH MODUS OPERANDII

Essentially, every legal water using customer in this district (along with the majority of availability customers- most out of area) will now be saddled with the added expenses of providing water to outside MIDPOU properties with a series of new ground water wells.

In other words: all district customers will subsidize this water service expansion WITHOUT EVER HAVING AN OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE ON THE MATTER OR EXPRESS THEIR OPINION.

Doesn’t that violate the concept of Proposition 218?

SPEAKING OF PROP 218 – DO YOU REALIZE NEW HIGHER WATER RATES ARE ON THE HORIZON?

Prior to completing my four year term on the board I specifically addressed this probability and received verbal assurances that such a BAIT AND SWITCH ALTERNATIVE WATER SOURCE scenario WOULD NEVER OCCUR because the proposed wells were for emergency water only.  Even DIRECTOR Emery Ross said he would never vote for using well water to expand OMIDPOU service.   We shall see.

Liar liars your pants are on fire
How will you extinguish the flames?
Emergency ground water was just the bait
A distracted community will bare the blame.

Like I have said many times, I am not against water service to areas outside the MIDPOU service area so long as those properties receiving that extra benefit pay for the added extra costs in providing that water.  What is so darn difficult to understand?  Hiding behind this drought emergency and expensive unreliable ground wells to provide water to properties that have no legal right to Merced River water, yet expecting all legal customers to pay for it is just plain sneaky, underhanded and unethical.  And then to propose raising our water rates even further on top of that?  Insult to injury!  But of course this is just my opinion.  What do you think now?  What will you think when your water rates go up so others can build new subdivisions, cattle ranches, maybe water theme parks, or whatever nonsensical project is the proposed money maker of the day?  Wake up!  Smell the chlorine!

My best to you and yours, Lew

Resolution 2013-4

 

Please note which director voted NO on that resolution:  The very one who suspiciously obtained a second OMIDPOU water meter to supply chlorinated water for a cattle ranch he was developing despite being unequivocally advised PRIOR TO THE RANCH PURCHASE he had no right to LDPCSD water. Then, even after loosing that second meter (because it had to be returned to the rightful owner) he some how obtained another replacement. Think I’d characterize that as something for the COWBOY HALL OF SHAME.

Decades of continuous fighting in attempts to supply water to those properties that had no legal right to Merced River water rather than focusing on the sustainability of water for those who did have, and paid for, that right to water. Decades and hundreds of thousands of YOUR DOLLARS wasted in delaying what should have been diligently pursued back in the 1990s –

THE Mc CLURE POINT

DEEP WATER PROJECT !

 

Poor Lew, just can’t get it into his thick head that no one cares about what it will cost all customers to continue pursuing a ground water substitution plan for even more surface water transfers.   (Every gallon of Lake McClure water that goes outside the MID permitted area must come from an alternative source, and for the LDPCSD that is ground water.)  I keep telling him to kick back, enjoy life and to not let this water business concern him any more.   No one else seems to care, why should he? Life is short.  Enjoy it as much as possible. Gee, what else is there to say?

Our best to you and yours.

 

My best to you and yours, Lew

I was elected to Lake Don Pedro Community Services District board of directors four years ago and immediately started educating myself as to local and state water issues by reading water publications and participating in numerous free/low cost online training courses sponsored by state water agencies. I utilized that information to propose solutions and make sound responsible decisions for our LDPCSD water supply and those properties entitled to Merced River water.

I sincerely thank those who voted and provided me with this opportunity to serve, but must caution all as to an inescapable conclusion based on this water education and experience.

Fair and honest representation of the 99% of legal water using (and future using) customers will continue to be thwarted if conflicting business interests with the intent and design of our surface water treatment plant are allowed to remain on the decision making side of the dais.

I believe three major variables have assisted in creating this negative situation. 1) The semi-isolated nature of the Lake Don Pedro residential community in these beautiful but rugged foothills makes routine well attended meetings difficult, 2) Decades of cultivated low information voting due to the lack of timely investigative reporting on local matters, and 3), over half the CSD customers (availability) reside out of area and cannot vote in elections due to respective county residency requirements.

Not surprisingly, and I think most would agree, any unorganized community which does not understand, appreciate or correct its underlying vulnerabilities, will easily become a target for disingenuous special interests set on exploiting our limited but highly valuable resources for their own personal and business desires.

Whether massive uncontrolled development in the subdivision contrary to the CC&Rs of our property owners’ association (ignored under the guise that “everyone will profit”) or the expansion of water service outside the legal Place of Use under water license 11395 and the contractual agreement with Merced Irrigation District (under the theory more customers are desirable regardless of license restrictions) when the majority of those paying the bills are fed disinformation and denied pertinent facts, we all become servants to the “cash cow” of corruption. This is sad but all so typically human.

Again thank you for the experience it was an honor serving.

My best to you and yours,
Lew Richardson

I was elected to Lake Don Pedro Community Services District board of directors four years ago and immediately started educating myself as to local and state water issues by reading water publications and participating in numerous free/low cost online training courses sponsored by state water agencies. I utilized that information to propose solutions and make sound responsible decisions for our LDPCSD water supply and those properties entitled to Merced River water.

I sincerely thank those who voted and provided me with this opportunity to serve, but must caution all as to an inescapable conclusion based on this water education and experience.

Fair and honest representation of the 99% of legal water using (and future using) customers will continue to be thwarted if conflicting business interests with the intent and design of our surface water treatment plant are allowed to remain on the decision making side of the dais.

I believe three major variables have assisted in creating this negative situation. 1) The semi-isolated nature of the Lake Don Pedro residential community in these beautiful but rugged foothills makes routine well attended meetings difficult, 2) Decades of cultivated low information voting due to the lack of timely investigative reporting on local matters, and 3), over half the CSD customers (availability) reside out of area and cannot vote in elections due to respective county residency requirements.

Not surprisingly, and I think most would agree, any unorganized community which does not understand, appreciate or correct its underlying vulnerabilities, will easily become a target for disingenuous special interests set on exploiting our limited but highly valuable resources for their own personal and business desires.

Whether massive uncontrolled development in the subdivision contrary to the CC&Rs of our property owners’ association (ignored under the guise that “everyone will profit”) or the expansion of water service outside the legal Place of Use under water license 11395 and the contractual agreement with Merced Irrigation District (under the theory more customers are desirable regardless of license restrictions) when the majority of those paying the bills are fed disinformation and denied pertinent facts, we all become servants to the “cash cow” of corruption. This is sad but all so typically human.

Again thank you for the experience it was an honor serving.

My best to you and yours,
Lew Richardson