Good afternoon.  I want to be fair (as always) in what I have to say today.  The BEE has published several very good news stories and editorial opinions, both over time and recently.  The StanCERA debacle, Village 1, several school district problems, crime, and other issues have been dealt with very well.  My comment is that the BEE has missed some very critical issues, especially when Modesto City management is the issue.  It simply cannot be a secret that our City is VERY poorly managed.  Even when we see an apparent improvement in how the gang crime problem is being addressed by the new police chief, the fact is that his solution is working far better than the idolized former chief, who could do no wrong in the eyes of the BEE.

                   Let us look at yesterday’s editorial.  It says, “The media must continue to serve that watchdog role, as they recently did in Bell.  But new hounds can’t do it alone.”  I agree.  That is why I, and others in leadership positions in the Stanislaus Taxpayers Association, have tried to communicate serious problems in our city and county.  Let’s deal with several issues that have gone either unreported or reported inadequately.

1.     My monthly water bill prior to the Nov 2004 increase was $23.08.  According to my new meter, last months’ usage cost me $108.80.  The STA told every one who would listen, including the mayor/council and the BEE, that water rates would triple over the next several years.  We had mathematical proof.  Since then, demand for water by City system users has decreased 20%, back to 1997 levels, but our rates have increased four-fold, and there is $100,000,000 in the water fund.  There is so much money there, they are buying the new IT system with it.  We also know they are importing administrative costs from the finance dept and others, in violation of Prop 218.  The BEE ignores this story.

2.     MID has published the fact that in 2010, MID will spend $4 Million on green energy.  But in 2014, it will spend $43 Million on green energy.  Even though MID admits that there is no mandate for “Public Owned Utilities” to ramp up green energy capacity, MID will “aggressively pursue the acquisition of green energy”.  This decision will cost 10 times what current costs are, and they cheerfully admit it.

3.     The McHenry solar farm is a sham.  No one in his right mind would make a 25 year contract at a cost hugely in excess of current costs, on a product whose costs are plummeting. 

4.     The BioMass generator plant in the Beard Tract will cost MID customers a fortune.  The owner of that plant’s own filed documents admit that the plant will operate out of compliance with EPA and Air Board limitations on pollutants.  That plant is situated right in the heart of our City.  In fact, the dog and pony show at tomorrow’s MID special meeting, is going to give grossly false information regarding both amounts of fuel available and amount of pollutants. 

                    These stories alone should be worth at least one Pulitzer.  I would hope those of us who are truly engaged in civic matters would disprove the title of yesterday’s editorial.  We civic minded citizens, working on our own time and money, CANNOT DO IT ALONE.  We need the help of a committed newspaper, whose dedicated reporters tell our story as well as what the bureaucrats fabricate.

                   Please, we want your help.  If you cannot do that, then do not publish an opinion that fails to recognize our good work.   Thank you very much, Dave Thomas, President, STA