Born a 10th generation Oregonian, (5 generations on each side) I have an enthusiasm for learning and teaching new things. After a ten year mini career in the dental field I moved on to research and embraced the social web. Though the internet is far too large for any one person to claim to be an expert, I can hold my own with the latest trends.
I enjoy researching and writing blogs. As the "Internet Program Director" for myMotherLode.com since 2008, I update the website and have a wide variety of interests. There is always something entertaining, educational or inspirational to share.
John Buckley of CSERC has recently criticized the Tuolumne Utilities District’s efforts to permanently secure its local water supply by buying Lyons Reservoir, Pinecrest Lake, the Tuolumne Main Canal, and the Phoenix Powerhouse. While ownership of the Phoenix system will cost money to operate and maintain, the purchase is the proper course of action for the long term. Remember that PG&E is in bankruptcy with all its uncertainty and has made it clear that it will sell the Phoenix system and all the associated water rights but has offered it to TUD first as the most logical buyer. Failing that, it will be sold to the highest bidder or abandoned and then TUD will have lost not only assurance of the water rights but control of what it costs to provide that water for its customers.
Kudos to the organizers of and participants in Monday night’s and Wednesday’s peaceful protest over George Floyd’s death at the hands of Minneapolis law enforcement. This was a tragic and completely unnecessary outcome to a simple arrest, the tragedy of which has been compounded nationwide when peaceful, law-abiding and respectful protests have turned ugly and been hijacked by agitators and non-local instigators of violence and property damage. This does the memory of George Floyd and others who have suffered from mistreatment, discrimination and outright racism an injustice. One final note: we are fortunate in the Mother Lode to have the quality of peace officers and leadership such that this type of event has never and should never happen here.
The administration is correct to be willing to provide assistance to the states but only to address the impacts of covid-19 restrictions and not to address the long term sistemic problems of poorly managed state and local finances with their unfunded pension liabilities and pet projects like California's bullet train to nowhere.
