PROPOSITION 16 A BAD DEAL. There are almost as many commercials from the “Yes on 16” proposition proponents on the radio as there are from gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman. And while I like Whitman, I don’t like Proposition 16. This was written and is primarily underwritten by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). If Proposition 16 is approved by voters, it will take a two-thirds vote of the electorate before a public agency could enter the retail power business. This will make it more difficult than it is currently for local entities to form either municipal utilities, or communitywide clean electricity districts called Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs). The advertising says that residents should have the right to approve electric companies run by cities, because taxpayers have a right to say how their money is being spent. What the advertising doesn’t say is that every city in our area (Turlock,  Modesto and Oakdale are some examples) who has a locally run electric company charges about 25 percent to 30 percent less than PG&E. The advertising also doesn’t tell you the Modesto and Turlock residents are very happy with their electric companies, called irrigation districts. In fact Turlock expanded its service area to the West Side, from Patterson to Crows Landing and residents there love the service and the rates.

No one likes it when electric rates go up, but as the years go by, everything costs more.

Now PG&E provides very good service here; although it’s not the same hometown service as it was 20 years ago when there was a local office with local managers who joined service and charitable organizations. We now talk to these folks on 800 numbers.

Proposition 16 would require a two-thirds vote, which isn’t necessary in communities where the leadership is elected and very well known by the population. Cities and counties are way more accountable than both the state and federal government because we live here and can either call our leaders or go right to their homes. They would know if their constituents wanted another electric service or not.

Modesto and Turlock elect directors who are local and are accountable; and they have done an outstanding job of keeping rates down. Proposition 16 would allow PG&E to control rates even more than they do already, and I find it outrageous. It’s a bad deal for all of us, and we should vote a resounding NO on Prop. 16.

LUNDRIGAN OUT WALKING. Newman was one of the first communities that Stanislaus County Clerk Recorder (our elections official) Lee Lundrigan walked in her quest to maintain her job for another term. Her signs are popping up all over town, and most of us received her pamphlet either in person or on our doorstep. I have known Lee for years, since she was first a lawyer for the Growers Harvesting Committee many years ago. She is a hard worker and will probably wear out at least one pair of shoes before June.

NEWMAN FFA SCHOOL FARM COMING TOGETHER. The new Orestimba High School farm will be dedicated on Friday May 14 and the students, faculty and farm folks couldn’t be happier. After years of planning and fund-raising, it’s a month away from being a reality. The facility will be dedicated to long time FFA teacher and Principal Joe Terra; farmer and agriculturist Lee Jasper and the Newman Rotary (for its leadership in fundraising and support). I’m excited that the students are so energized over this project. They are out working on fences and the farm grounds to get it ready for the big day. Their advisors are just as excited as the students, and you’ll get to meet them all next month.