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The war over access to files erupted once again at the monthly board meeting of the Georgetown Divide Public Utility District.
Supplying fresh ammunition was board member Kathy Otermat who asked the board to approve a request that staff at the agency comply with the California Public Records Act.
Otermat said she had previously sent out two public record requests. One went to Hank White, general manager of GDPUD and one to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), which is the state agency that oversees GDPUD.
“At the state agency, I scanned documents for three hours and was left alone,” she said. “But when I asked for access to district records, Hank (White) said he had to be with me. I just want GDPUD to comply with the same rules as the CDPH.”
In response, Board President Ray Griffiths said, “I find it ironic that we are discussing the number of employees we can’t employ and yet you want to employ someone to take care of your needs for these records. To comply with your request we’d have to hire more people.”
Otermat responded that she had been allowed to review some of the files requested “but I was told I had to leave at 4:30 — banker’s hours. But the files I wanted to review were already in Hank’s office.”
Board member Bonnie Neeley said she was offended by Oterman’s behavior. “Why do you need 10 years’ worth of files? Why should Hank be wasting his time on this? Why are you cc-ing everybody in the state?”
“I wanted to educate myself on the 218 process,” said Otermat. “If the state can pull files as needed why can’t we be more organized? White just wanted to supervise me.”
Neeley said one reason for White being present while Otermat looked through the files was to make sure all the documents stay in the same order they were in originally.
But Otermat claimed the files were out-of-order when she got them. “I want the same compliance from this agency as the state provides. I was voted to do this job. I want compliance for myself as well as any Joe Public who comes in.”
Neeley then asked, “Can you make any compromise or will you continue treating us as an adversary?”
White complained that Otermat had requested hundreds and hundreds of files. “Other times you requested to come in, didn’t come in or call and in the meantime we were handling emergencies,” he said. “The State of California is responsible for their files. Why do you need to be alone with these files? The state doesn’t allow her access to files when she’s alone. The files are available but you’ve refused to come in and haven’t called after making an appointment to come in.”
Board member Norm Krizl noted that, “This is about reasonable accommodation. But just dropping by is not reasonable. I don’t understand the need to drop everything to accommodate you. This is not a state agency with people sitting around twiddling their thumbs.”
“My intent is not to disrupt,” replied Otermat.
“Staff have more important things to do,” said Krizl. “Why can’t you be more reasonable instead of using a hammer?”
For responsibility’s sake
William Wright, general counsel for the district, suggested that perhaps White could choose to sit in while Otermat reviews the files or a different person could do it. But Neeley said that White was most familiar with what was in the files and he was responsible for them.
Meanwhile members of the public and staff of GDPUD entered the fray.
Stephanie Beck, who is an employee with the district, said she was speaking on her own time. “I have been taken off task to pull files which you (Otermat) never came to look at until two months later. Then you ask for files that have to be pulled from the archives. We spend hours pulling documents and then we don’t get the courtesy of a call saying you’re not coming in to see them. A lot of the things you say are lies.”
Another resident, Jack Podsedly, countered by saying, “This whole thing is a question of control. Can’t anyone else pull the files? Why can’t she be allowed to put the files back the way they were? She’s trying to get to the bottom of things and you’re making it seem she’s wasting everybody’s time. Are you afraid she’ll find a $400 dinner? You’re whining that he can’t get his job done. There’s unreasonableness on the part of staff as far as reasonable accommodation.”
In the meantime, Otermat made a motion to require GDPUD to comply with the California Records Act which resulted in Wright pointing out that a “no” vote on the motion would imply the agency was not complying with Public Records Act.
In response, Krizl said, “I believe we’re in compliance and this motion is a loaded gun. It’s not reasonable to just drop by and ask to see certain files. Some consideration has to be given to the work people have to do.”
Resident Steve Miller then asked Otermat to retract the motion and define what is reasonable.
Sensing a compromise was at hand, Wright suggested that Otermat withdraw her motion and in return White make available this week the five files she wanted to review.
With that agreed upon, Otermat redacted her motion and the board agreed to discuss the matter further at their next meeting.
In a separate action, Krizl asked the board to consider replacing Otermat as an alternate to the El Dorado County Water Agency Board of Directors because of her failure to attend their meetings on a regular basis.
“We need to be represented,” he said. “Do you plan to participate?”
Otermat responded by saying that she had missed some meetings due to her mother passing away and because of other obligations. “But I do plan on attending,” she said.
The vote to replace her then failed on a 3-2 vote with Otermat, McLane and Griffiths voting against it.
Contact Dawn Hodson at 530-344-5071 or dhodson@mtdemocrat.net. Follow @DHodsonMtDemo on Twitter.
The Mountain Democrat does not necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full policy
Maria CapraunJune 15, 2012 - 6:22 am
I find it funny how Director Neeley is making comments on this issue when I have an email from her telling me how messy and disorganized the files are at the District.
R. W. ColeJune 15, 2012 - 10:30 am
And since Norm is one of the recipients of the $420 dinner for he and his wife, it's pretty self-serving for him to not have the district comply with allowing Otermat to view records. Right Norm? Was discussing this unethical misuse of public funds with some of the sitting El Dorado County supervisors. We were all shaking out heads out what Otermat has proven re: illegal quorums and misuse of public funds and Norm's involvement. The general gist is - no respect for the "man".
Dink LaneJune 15, 2012 - 1:48 pm
I find this whole process totally disturbing.... Public Utilities District MEANS that the PEOPLE of the District OWN the Water purveyor.....NOT The General Manager!!!!....... The People Elect a person to Serve on that BOARD......They Oversee what the General Manager does......That's why he has to REPORT to the Board...... Kathy was SENT to the Board by the PEOPLE..... She is SUPPOSE to find out what is going on..... That's what she is suppose to do...... What the H#!! is the matter with this paper and this reporter....Didn't anyone at this paper go to journalism school???? Maybe SOMEONE should!
Water Purveyer payer I guessJune 15, 2012 - 3:55 pm
Dink you are great! I never thought of it but I pay taxes that support this stupid miss run District. These funds are over seen by the 3 Board members of miss direction who allow the total control to a micro managing control freak. I can not wait until November! I will do all I can to vote two responsible non-status-quot individuals in!! To get rid of this General Manager and the legal eagle that sits by and allows this.
Carolyn B.June 15, 2012 - 11:05 pm
Neeley and Krizl wanted to vote Otermat out because "of her mother's passing and other obligations". You two are the lowest scumbags I can imagine. I lost my mom 2 years ago and my dad 2 months ago. If you've been there life just isn't for several months trying to take care of a loved one's affairs. I listened to the audio to see what was said - 1 meeting due to her mothers FUNERAL, then the next month due to a probate court date, and one she missed due to the GDPUD not advising EDC Water agency to put her on their meeting distribution list. Amazing how cold Neeley and Krizl are to even consider any of this, other than to try to harm her. I don't know how to say this without sounding mean but those two are seething with an abundance of hate. What kind of values and morals do these folks live their life by? Mr. Cole, I too have heard talk about Norm's name on the $420 Ruth Chris receipt, even from some of his Ag friends. Hard for you to back away from that misuse of public funds, Mr. Krizl!!!!
Georgetown galJune 16, 2012 - 5:55 am
Otermat shows herself repeatedly to be a destructive influence as a board member and community member. She deserves to be recalled. All those posting on this board in support of her behavior are similar misfits.
FlushTheWaste.comJune 16, 2012 - 6:02 am
Carolyn B, the Ruth Chris Steakhouse receipt (1/3/2008) for $418.96 is here (scroll to bottom of page): http://flushthewaste.com/
Mike ManleyJune 16, 2012 - 2:12 pm
Dear Georgetown Girl, I just went to flushthewaste.com website and saw the $400+ Ruth Chris Steakhouse receipt. That's pretty damning that that kind of blatant expenditure of GDPUD's ratepayers money is OK with the GM and Krizl, Neeley and former board members. I consider myself a logical objective person. So far I have only heard opinion and no verifiable facts on why Otermat should be recalled. If you can give me some or give me a name and email or phone on who I can contact to get this kind of "verifiable" facts and not innuendo, I'm all ears. So far I have yet to get any. If you post info here I really will follow-up. When I asked someone who I consider a Bonnie Neeley supporter for facts, the silence was deafining. Thanks.
SaddenedJune 17, 2012 - 10:27 am
1. Never take a job with a public agency on the Divide...you come in as the hero, and go out the villain. 2. Never run for a public office on the Divide...see number 1 above. 3. As a result, we get crap people in number 1 and 2 above. Stop using words, like "thief, moron, corrupt, scumbag, destructive, etc". Start communicating and find middle ground. That is all.
Gary THompsonJune 17, 2012 - 10:45 am
Dear Saddened, you offered commentary but no solution for getting decent people in office. I believe Kathy is an outstanding person who thought she could buck the status quo and improve the way GDPUD uses our tax property $ and rates. How do we get and keep decent people in our elected position? I'd like to hear.
Why so hostile Kathy?June 17, 2012 - 11:00 am
I find it funny that most of the comments are pro Otermat. Otermat is not serving the district in an appropriate manner. She should be removed simply as a matter of principle. I would assume that there is a code of conduct for board members? She is intimidating residents, employees, and the press. Divineness has taken over since Otermat has been in office. She is making a mockery of the district. I find that her behavior is bizarre. Why the hostility?
Where is the smoking gun Kathy?June 17, 2012 - 11:23 am
I just looked at the Otermat website. It's confirmed…. Otermat should be recalled! What good do you bring the district? You how much money has been wasted in staff time chasing your whims around? Your angry rants are doing no good for anyone. The best you can come up with is a dinner receipt?
good for a laughJune 17, 2012 - 12:15 pm
Kathy Otermat is "intimidating the press"??? Gimme a break!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Whoever commented June 17, 2012 - 11:00 am is seriously "challenged".
i am so very scared of kathy otermatJune 17, 2012 - 12:26 pm
kathy otermat scares me cause she asks for information and she doesn't like waste and she represents her constituents and she doesn't run away when Hank says boo and she reports brown act violations and she makes all good old boys so very very very nervous. get rid of kathy otermat by rushing out to sign our petition to tell her to go away. period. thank you. signed: the committee to get rid of kathy otermat.
Dan Silva (yes I'm not a coward, this is my name)June 17, 2012 - 1:08 pm
To: Why So Hostile Kathy? You said it right.... "Divineness has taken over since Otermat has been in office.". So far the only "hostile" behavior is by the ones who don't asking for information.... hmmm. Still the same old rant from the good (bad) old boys and their protectors. I still haven't seen any real reason to recall her... "on principle" doesn't cut it. At least on flushthewaste.com there is black and white facts. So far I'm a fan of Otermat!
King Henry IIJune 17, 2012 - 1:12 pm
What sluggards, what cowards have I brought up in my court, who care nothing for their allegiance to their lord. Who will rid me of this meddlesome priest.
Karen B.June 17, 2012 - 1:33 pm
I think it was a freudian slip, "why so hostile Kathy?" meant to write divisive. Don't you know if you run on fiscal prudence, transparency and reducing salaries and benefits, you're supposed to fold like a limp lawn chair like Bonnie Neeley did once elected? Why oh why can't just give in like Neeley who turned her back on those who initially supported her. That's the way it's supposed to happen at GDPUD. Why does she have to be so dog-gone ethical and not sweep the bad things she sees under the rug? I read her mother recently passed away. I know she raised her girl to do the right thing and not run away when things get hard. I pray that she is watching over her girl and is in peace.
GroveJune 17, 2012 - 2:52 pm
the GDPUD makes for great entertainment!