No, I really don’t know why I take the time for this sort of stuff.  Guess because the lightning was there?  Perhaps hoping some day to snag that “once in a lifetime shot”?  Kind of like the lotto I guess, chances of winning are astronomically slim, however, completely nonexistent if you don’t try – right?

The time exposures are cool because once started I can leave for a bit – a minute or two depending upon lighting (to obtain another necessary adult beverage of course) and upon returning can see on the camera monitor if anything good “flashed by” while absent.  Video, however, requires watching continuously to see if anything good occurs or completely watching it later when editing.  Instantly knowing it was worthless video is good because I can delete the file on the spot.

Still rather amazing how just a seemingly insignificant flash of light with the naked eye can turn out to be a rather elaborate discharge of electricity when slowed down for viewing (or when a time exposure is utilized).  Can you imagine how much power is in one of those bolts if we could only secure it for domestic use?  Capture, store, regulate….. sounds like water huh? Anyway, since I already took the time to capture our little light show last night, thought I would share what I had.   Unfortunately no “once in a lifetime keepers”.   Kind of disappointing in a way as the battery was failing just as things were getting interesting.  Why have an extra battery if you don’t keep it charged dumb ass?  Hee haw….forgot I guess.  Charging now, wouldn’t you know.

Funny.. point the camera in an anticipated lightning area but it occurs in the other direction, still you wait.  Nothing.  (You already know, right?)  Finally, with nothing happening for some time – move the camera to the “active area” – then a great show where the camera had been.  Hit and miss.   Think I mentioned this once before….I had the telescope set up once and was taking images of the moon and just missed an aircraft passing in the foreground!  DARN DARN DARN….missed by only seconds!  That would have been a keeper for sure….big fat full moon with an airliner passing by….so darn close.

The little bit of rain was nice…but those lightning originated fires are quite common and always worrisome….hope we escaped any more.  Seemed to clear the smoke out of the air for a little while – much of it back this morning.

Well, need to get back outside and do some work ….maybe I’ll find a talking Vole to interview about all the destruction he and his extended family are doing?  Yes indeed, the rodent war is continuing with some excellent allied assistance from the “air force Owls”.   Humm, there we go…….the souvenir department is right over here…. there we are,…… <insert dream like sequence>

“…perhaps I might interest a few of you in one or two of these “Owl Pellet Collectibles from Lake Don Pedro”?    As you can see, these particular specimens are exceptionally exquisite – not only due to traditional dietary composition and consistently unique form, but they are quite valuable in another aspect –  apparently they were struck with multiple lightning bolts in the exact same spot Monday evening, 9-11-2017, right here in LDP during a passing T-Storm to the south!  Incredible eh?   Cash or charge?

Would you like those gift wrapped with a card?”    lol 

later, Lew

My best to you and yours, Lew

Part L as in LAST!  FINALLY!  MEETING blah blah blah IS FINISHED!   IS it me, or did this meeting really drag?

Yup.  Distrust is a horrible thing.  Makes everything so much more complicated than it has to be.  Probably been going on since humans began recording their history on cave walls with charcoal.    (Yeah! Right!  My fire disappears during the night and then yours suddenly appears out of nowhere!  Dog vomit!   I don’t believe you!”)

Anyone notice the occasional searching for words on “sensitive issues”?  Having to phrase something perfectly correct?   You know, if someone is being forthright who cares how perfectly it is expressed?  The word parsing conditions one to think the worst.   DONE!   DONE!   DONE!    I am going outside to work – no more computer  (for now), later!

My  best to you and yours, Lew

PART K, as in KRAPPA.

Perhaps it is because I listen to these meetings over and over and over when making these videos anyway, but it sure seems like this last one wasted a lot of time talking about insignificant issues.

The PRIORITY IS TO BE PREPARED WITH THE BARGE/FLOAT PUMPS IF OUR LAST PERMANENT INTAKE PUMP FAILS!  The rest is babble.  Last century equipment?  Dear Lord.  Word games to disguise the deceit and fraud against MR WECs for the last 37 years.  Excuses and denial of responsibility for why district equipment and facilities have been so neglected for DECADES – yes, the proper use of the word.

Providing water to properties OUTSIDE THE MERCED IRRIGATION DISTRICT PLACE OF USE FOR MERCED RIVER WATER HAS BEEN A MAJOR FACTOR IN PREVENTING THE PROPER FUNCTIONING OF THIS SPECIAL DISTRICT AND LIKELY ONE IN PREVENTING A MORE SUCCESSFUL DEVELOPMENT OF THE SUBDIVISION.  One of the best selling points was being stolen from the subdivision and subdivision property owners were/are paying for the theft!

AFFORDABLE QUALITY WATER in a drought prone area such as these beautiful Sierra Nevada foothills?  A blessing which should have been defended and protected years ago from those who exploit such RESOURCES for the sole purpose of personal/business monetary gain.

They didn’t want LAKE DON PEDRO subdivision property with water. 

They wanted LAKE DON PEDRO subdivision water on their property. 

Pure and simple.  

Decades of special interest influence and manipulation of this district culminating to the point where a fledgling employee 20 years ago could be returned as a president of his own management company and mighty BOARD DIRECTOR on the CALIFORNIA SPECIAL DISTRICT ASSOCIATION (CSDA) to reconfigure our SURFACE WATER TREATMENT PLANT into a GROUNDWATER SUBSTITUTION FACILITY.   Why?     So as to circumvent state restrictions on MERCED RIVER WATER use and supply groundwater for annexations to the district KAMPA advocated 20 years ago.  All with public funds and government grants intended to assist existing customers during unprecedented drought.

An extreme minority of land developers and real estate interests manipulating this district to the injury of thousands of Lake Don Pedro property owners with no clue to what was/is going on with their water company to which they are also mandatory customers due to property ownership in the subdivision.  What a scam.  Built-in victims to fund a GROUNDWATER SUBSTITUTION PROGRAM for property owners not entitled to MERCED RIVER WATER.     Great neighbors.

My best to you and  yours, Lew

I think it would be best if viewers take a look at the topic of discussion first before entering the blah blah blah realm of meeting discussion.

Although I am quite sure I have written about the following VERY DISTURBING POSSIBILITY I am not sure if I posted such.  (As I have joked before, what is actually posted is only a portion of what is composed – so be thankful for that!  lol)

No doubt the following is a shockingly horrible thing to suspect but when you consider and compare it to other KNOWN ACTIVITIES THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE WITHIN THIS DISTRICT (arson of the administration office at top of the list) it certainly remains a strong possibility. —  Frankly I would not be surprised in the least if some of the difficulties with our DISTRICT (especially LAKE INTAKE) are the result of internal district sabotage in an effort to further push the groundwater well projects.  There.  I said it, no reason to belabor the point because as we all know suspecting something is a long way from conclusively proving it as fact.

OK, let’s get started with the BINKLEY ASSOCIATES letter to the General Manager/Treasure and his Board of Directors.

Yes, I underlined some portions in red to STAND OUT!  lol

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

OK, with that delightful good news out of the way, let’s return to the August 21st, 2017 meeting via PART J where discussion is going to begin regarding this letter.

PART J, as in Johnson,

that’s Board President Danny Johnson.

Video is a little longer than I had anticipated….still didn’t finish the meeting subject of BADLY NEEDED LAKE INTAKE REPAIRS & REPLACEMENT.  What a shame our district was hi-jacked and denied such a fabulous opportunity.   Various California state water agencies and the Federal Government through the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) offered reduced interest loans/grants so  water purveyors such as the Lake Don Pedro Community Services District (LDPCSD) could make MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THEIR SYSTEMS during the devastating drought emergency that they (water districts) otherwise could never afford.   Essential projects that languished for the substantial

FUNDING and OPPORTUNITY FOR CONSTRUCTION ACCESS.

DISTRICT COMPONENTS USUALLY BELOW THE WATER SURFACE WERE EXPOSED WHEN LAKE McCLURE DROPPED TO ITS LOWEST POINT IN HISTORY THUS PROVIDING WORK ACCESS TO AREAS USUALLY COVERED WITH WATER.

Our permanent intake pipes (tubes) and baskets for example.  No way to work on them when covered with a million acre feet of Merced River water impounded by New Exchequer dam creating Lake McClure.  Past LDPCSD MEETING MINUTES TWO DECADES AGO [WHEN PETE KAMPA WAS HERE THE FIRST TIME INCIDENTALLY] documented how crucial INTAKE REPAIRS & REPLACEMENT had to WAIT FOR LAKE LEVEL TO DROP for access so the project was always side tracked for “some other time”.

FINALLY!   FUNDING AND OPPORTUNITY FOR ACCESS ARRIVES!

DURING THE “GREAT DROUGHT” certain application and permitting processes were streamlined to expedite the process for districts to  secure the money to make major improvements and get the construction done AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Certain regulations and requirements were also suspended or waived in order to FAST TRACK these needed infrastructure repairs/improvements to make systems run more efficiently for the public they served.

BUT WHAT DID PETE KAMPA,

his for profit KAMPA COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS llc aka KAMPACS MANAGEMENT COMPANY,

and the

LDPCSD BOARD OF DIRECTORS DO?

FOCUS ON GROUNDWATER WELL PROJECTS so Kampa could finally furnish an ALTERNATE SOURCE OF WATER to property annexations with which he was personally involved 20 years ago when starting his infamous water career at the LDPCSD (1994-1998).

perhaps you’ve heard this somewhere…..?

Since MERCED RIVER WATER could not be served outside the residential subdivision, groundwater substitution was used to circumvent VERY CLEAR PLACE OF USE REGULATIONS IN water license 11395.

OPPORTUNITY GIVEN TO THIRD PARTY INTERESTS?

MERCED RIVER WATER ENTITLED CUSTOMERS (MR WECs) may have lost a once in a lifetime opportunity to finally address very serious district problems that have existed for decades with their SURFACE WATER TREATMENT PLANT (LIKE SUBSTANTIAL UNACCOUNTED FOR WATER LOSS – BOTH RAW AND TREATED) – all for the special benefit GROUNDWATER SUBSTITUTION program REQUIRED for Kampa’s old annexations into the district 20 years ago.

And the traditional INSULT to INJURY? ….

MR WECs have PAID for this special benefit GROUNDWATER SUBSTITUTION WATER SERVICE outside the water license place of use for 37 years and counting!  

Very sad and unjust.

HERE’s THE VIDEO:

My best to you and  yours, Lew

Part I:  as in an: Insincere Individual Introducing Intentionally Inadequate Information?

Distrust is a horrible thing, like some kind of cancer that eats away the part of you inside that still wants to believe in another despite their documented past betrayals.

My best to you and yours, Lew

PART H, as in HALF-TRUTHS and HOGWASH.

Whoa, what a wonderful temperature drop!  Now,…if only these fires could be extinguished…..

0700 hrs, 84 degrees already!  Actually appears slightly less smokey this morning.  Same wind direction as the other morning as can be seen in the photo.  Starting to forget what the horizon looks like without all the smoke.  Don’t know about you folks but being outside for a while sure stings my eyes.

Well, here’s the next installment of the CSD meeting held August 21st with very little “play time” – I promise.

Part G, as in GROUNDWATER.

My best to you and yours, Lew

Well, today is Sunday, September 3rd, 2017 and the atmosphere outside doesn’t look much different than yesterday.  Heavy smoke from Yosemite National Park.  Rather like a thick winter fog – except for the fact this fog can sting your eyes after a while.  Ahhhh, wet winter fog – sounds lovely huh?    Think I will call today another inside the house/AC day.  Yup, very nasty outside.  Hope all of you are managing this smoke satisfactorily.

My best to you and yours, Lew

PART F, AS IN …..FRAUD.

(You didn’t really think I would “F bomb” you again?  Sorry for that incidentally.  Although certainly no excuse for bad language this whole PUBLIC AGENCY BETRAYAL stuff is quite frustrating.)

No sense in going over it all again now. Suffice it to say no doubt most of us would enjoy all the latest “bells and whistles” of new equipment, software, processes, etc., but must curb our desires with life priorities and other financial responsibilities. All things considered, perhaps a more conservative approach right now is called for by the CSD while demonstrating mastery of the “old school” procedures and techniques in completing such work satisfactorily first?   This would also provide further evidence of the general reasonableness for such techno-convenience-upgrades?   Kampa seems to throw money at everything he perceives as a “problem”.  Some of these “problems” were clearly manufactured by Kampa himself.  No issue prior to his arrival…..then  HEY!  “WE” HAVE A PROBLEM!

Seems like clockwork:  research, create problem, blame others (Red Flag attack), quickly propose an expensive solution that Kampa is prepared to provide, then get paid for fixing what he broke while researching and creating more problems in need of expensive solutions that only Pete Kampa can furnish (because he knows the problem better than anyone else!  lol)

Of course we all realize it is also always easier to spend the money of another especially when “they” do not seem to care about how much or for what. [Ever been in a casino and fortunate enough to be playing with “ahead money”?  (“ahead money” is not technically “winnings” until you’re home with cash in hand!  lol)   You know, making larger bets than you normally would, or playing a more expensive machine because, after all, it was “ahead money” and you were on a streak?)   He’s just playing with CSD Kampa Kasino funds and other public resources.  But what about results, damage or harm done?  Doesn’t matter.  Win, lose or draw Kampa, and his associates,  get paid very well.    Why do individuals organize as limited liability companies and corporations?   (Hint:  the descriptive name is the benefit because if something goes very, very wrong and others are illegally harmed, the individual’s assets are generally protected against acquisition in a civil trial judgement for damages.  Of course, as we know, there are always exceptions to any rule, right?   Look at WL11395 Merced River Water Place of Use restrictions – didn’t mean squat thanks to GROUNDWATER SUBSTITUTION.)

Speaking of computers and technology….editing was a bit more difficult with this post due to all the experimenting with features and different combinations. Still haven’t scratched the surface of what this software can do, would probably work better with a more powerful computer but this one works.   I’m just running out of  time.  Seems there is never enough.   Multiple video/audio track editing is tricky but I am starting to recognize some of the patterns and pitfalls. You know what is the most time consuming? Spelling and grammar errors. I’ll believe I am ready to actually “produce” to a video format but decide to check one more time. Sure enough there is another mistake or other obvious correction to make. Here’s the kicker…..sometimes even a slight change can cause a ripple-like affect through the whole project so if you do not review the entire video you end up with a bunch of unwanted consequences. Move a clip wrong and everything is reduced or increased in length just that much – different options react differently – some of the more complex functions take longer to process and another selection made before completion of the first can screw up all processing.   60% seems to be the “hump” to over come.

I’ll be watching the processing percentage go up steadily as the CPU clunks along with fan whirling at high speed, then it hits 60% and the counter stalls, either for a second or two, or much, much longer…..sometimes ends up with the message: “program is no longer responding”- always wonderful news when you thought the project was nearing completion.

Naturally “save” time is dependent upon the complexity of the command.  That’s one thing I learned many years ago when AutoCad came on the scene…..do it regularly….save, save and save – especially with complicated command functions which often resulted in much “thinking time” for the CPU.    True, constantly saving a file takes time but if I hit a snag and “crash” it is much easier to redo only a little work rather than a lot.

If I catch most of the mistakes prior to uploading to youtube…..GREAT!   Otherwise, if it is a major mistake that requires correction…..I could be looking at hours of lost uploading time to youtube along with the additional hours in uploading the material again.  Bummer.  Another good reason for keeping projects short.

Live, play, learn…..blah blah blah – blah blah.    Still kind of fun – just wish I were younger.

Let’s put this “F ‘n” post to bed shell we?       lol

My best to you and yours, Lew