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It was all the board of directors of the Georgetown Divide Public Utility District could do to discuss water issues in between discussing agenda items brought forward by board member Kathy Otermat.
The Tuesday morning meeting began with General Manager Hank White reporting they will be posting a notification this week to potential bidders for the Auburn Lake Trails (ALT) Water Treatment Plant retrofit. Bidders will be asked to provide their qualifications for review and approval. He said the template for grading bidders had been prepared and once the winning bid was approved by the board, construction could begin as early as April 2013.
The board voted to approve the end of irrigation season on Sept. 30 and postponed until next month the election of a new treasurer. Otermat was removed from the position after a special board meeting on Aug. 21. The board agreed that it should wait until the full board was present to make the appointment. Board member Norm Krizl is currently on vacation.
The board also appointed Ray Kringel and Michelle Bliss as public members to review the draft financial audit. Their appointment was approved 3-1, with Otermat voting no.
Resurrecting the topic of the type of retrofit for the Auburn Lake Trails plant, Otermat said that at the Proposition 218 hearing in February, White had claimed that a less expensive retrofit had been denied by the California Department of Public Health (DPH). She said she had found nothing in writing about a denial and the DPH told her that a decision of such a magnitude would have been in writing. She asked White to supply documentation of the denial and the reason for the denial.
White responded that two previously prepared engineering reports had recommended the retrofit option the district is pursuing. He said the state also reviewed the information from the reports and during negotiations with the state he came to the conclusion that the only option they would approve was the one they are pursuing. He said the board could vote for a different option, but he thought they would eventually be right back where they started if they did so.
Otermat then accused White of making the decision on his own but of blaming the state for the decision.
“You said the state denied the retrofit, but now today you’re saying, ‘I came to the firm belief that they would not approve it.’ That’s a big difference on denial versus kind of putting the decision they really hadn’t made,” she said.
“I believe you’re twisting words for some purpose that’s ugly, really ugly,” responded White. He insisted that the state had indicated a preference for the type of retrofit for the plant.
Board member Bonnie McLane then reiterated that the two engineering reports had indicated a preference in the type of retrofit and a previous board had voted for it.
“I appreciate the explanation, so I’m thanking you for explaining to me how the originating of the plans for the plant came forward,” said McLane. “The board made the decision and I’m fine with that.”
With that discussion concluded, Otermat moved on to claim there was a discrepancy between White’s resume and a profile of him released at a Chamber of Commerce presentation. She said his resume indicated he had previously worked for public water agencies while the Chamber of Commerce profile only had him working at private agencies. Saying she had not received a response from White regarding the alleged discrepancy, she said she was forced to bring it forward as an agenda item.
Director Bonnie Neeley then asked Otermat, “So what are you trying to prove?”
White responded by saying, “You know, this is absolutely amazing that the board would allow this. I have provided you with a copy of my resume. It has the pertinent information … I question what your motives are and I question why this board will allow this inquisition … You’re just not genuine. You’re hiding things. You’ve taken things out of this office. And now you’re asking for what my address was in 1980 and it’s ridiculous. It’s harassment and I’m just darn tired of it. The board can take whatever action it wants on this, but I’m telling you it’s harassment and it’s got to stop.”
Members of the public then jumped in to the fray with Jack Podsedly saying that they were told the state required the district to do a certain type of retrofit. Now we find out it was not the state, but the general manager, said Podsedly.
In defense of White, Michelle Bliss said she was appalled that the general manager was being attacked after working at the district for over 10 years. She attacked Otermat for pursing a personal agenda against the general manager instead of focusing on water issues. “It’s appalling that this is on the agenda as an item,” she said.
Steve Miller added that while he thought the replacement of the plant was appropriate, he reiterated that the retrofit was a board and management decision, not the state’s decision, and that’s what the public needed to understand. “I don’t think we should revisit it, I think we’re moving in the right direction, but I really resent being lied to,” he said.
Otermat then moved on to her next agenda item by saying that board members, and in particular Neeley, may have violated the Brown Act. Neeley responded by saying she had already apologized for an inadvertent communication mistake, but Otermat insisted that some sort of collusion had taken place between board members during the recall effort against her. General Counsel William Wright’s final comment on the issue was that there is nothing that prohibits board members from participating in the recall of another board member.
Otermat’s last agenda item concerned developing a policy for district compliance with the California Public Records Act. A committee made up of Otermat, Krizl, and resident Steve Miller had worked on a draft policy that was presented at the meeting. Wright noted that the existing act is “clear and concise” and wondered if a policy unique to the district was necessary. He suggested that before adopting it, the district investigate the policies of other agencies. Otermat volunteered to research the topic and to continue working on a possible policy with Miller.
The meeting closed with resident John Plymyer criticizing Otermat for the items she had placed on the agenda. “These were strictly personal items and I’m embarrassed that these discussions took place in an open meeting,” he said.
“These items should be discussed in executive session. This idea of accusing people in public because you have your own goal, and we all know what it is, and to do it in public is just absurd and I’m embarrassed to have you as a board member. That’s why I was part of the recall committee and I’m very disappointed that it didn’t follow through. And I’d join another recall committee against you because I don’t think your work benefits this association whatsoever. You’re doing all this for your own personal gain.”
Contact Dawn Hodson at 530-344-5071 or dhodson@mtdemocrat.net. Follow @DHodsonMtDemo on Twitter.
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Robert from ALT, Cool, CASeptember 13, 2012 - 1:23 pm
I Heard that the meeting was far different. Apparently Hank, Neeley, Plymyer and Bliss don't care that a GM will lie straight faced to a member of the public. They screen at Otermat to deflect from the flagrant lies and mismanagement of the GM. I can't wait to hear the audio of the meeting. Knowing that Dawn (or Raffety her ghost writer) is the one who twists words I now need to hear the meetings with my own ears. And the public should know that as one of Plymyer's neighbors, we regard him as just a mean, bitter, crusty old man. I will give my comparison of the meeting with Hudson's (Raffety's) account as soon as it's posted on flusthewaste.com Director Otermat don't give Plymyer a second thought. His opinion isn't worth anything.
Discussed with Author who ever it isSeptember 13, 2012 - 1:49 pm
The problem with the article is that the Bid process was NOT on the agenda. Never presented to the Board, it was the GM’s sole decision to post without board notice of the event or document prior to the posting. The Board had no input into the process at all. As they had no input into the GM's decision to rebuild ALT. They were just told this is what the state wants. We have all been duped. This also was not the first thing discussed. A member of the public wanted to know why the GM provided incorrect information on the Fire Hydrant in Garden Valley on Hwy 193 and Bear Creek. The GM had stated that the Fire Department was fine with the outage and that the Fire Department does not fight fires with FIRE HYDRANTS. I guess they spit on them.
LilySeptember 13, 2012 - 2:04 pm
Director Otermat did not attack the GM but should have. Her quite meek behavior needs to be met with a loud voice out of her body. She never yells or is offensive. She does not stoop to the GM and his blind protector’s level. Otermat asked about a letter from the State which specifically stated that the District could use the cheapest option to retro fit ALT which was not what the GM told the Board and the Public. I believe that is called a lie but according to the GM side of the Board that is harassment for bringing it up and asked even though it is in the best interest of the District not to spend 8 million when they could just spend 3 million. Going against the GM is harassment? The GM accused Otermat of harassing him because she asked after seeing an article he wrote regarding his former employment, where it was that he worked. The GM ran her around in a circle his vultures attacked and he never answered the question. This seems to happen a lot. We need a change.
Vacationing Norm Krizl unworthy of reelectionSeptember 13, 2012 - 3:06 pm
Since Norm Krizl can't schedule his vacation around just once monthly 2012 regular board meetings, GDPUD voters should give Norm Krizl a permanent vacation in November. Board candidate Pat Snelling will put ratepayers first and deserves our votes.
Dink LaneSeptember 13, 2012 - 3:21 pm
Dawn: 1.) Please NOTE that GM, Hank White's, evaluation is NEXT meeting. At this meeting he was found to be caught in three (3) LIES--ALT's retrofit, his resume and the BEAR CREEK Fire Hydrant (coming from China???).... Now Dawn....How will Hank White get a $53,000 salary increase AGAIN with this kind of record???? .... 2.) the Bidding process WAS NOT BROUGHT TO THE BOARD!!!! The LAW says it should be..... But, my dear DAWN.... You didn't note that.... You didn't even note that he was ASKED to tell about where he was in the ALT project....It was NOT on the agenda.... 3.) DAWN--dear, DAWN, you and the Editor need a JOURNALISM refresher course.....
Dink LaneSeptember 13, 2012 - 3:28 pm
Vacationing: Norm couldn't miss the NEXT MEETING... That's where he will vote for another RAISE for "Lying" HANK..... It's time to throw out the two incumbents -- Norm Krizl and Bonnie Neeley .... and put in Maria and Pat...
Evelyn VeerkampSeptember 13, 2012 - 6:39 pm
If this article indeed was written by Dawn Hodson then I am deeply disappointed. I endorse all the above comments.
Zeke SlateSeptember 13, 2012 - 6:55 pm
Ms. Hodson (if that is who wrote this) has lost all credibility in our eyes. Her yellow journalism headline is simply not what happened. A Director, one of White's employers, asked him a question he did not what to answer. He cried foul and harassment. She exposed to us all that he had lied about the ALT project being turned down by the State. It seems pretty clear Hadson wants to keep her job and may be being influenced to place a pro Hank spin on her "writing." We wonder if we will be able to find the connection between Raffety and Sheppard (Hank's guardian angel), which is where we think some of this garbage is coming from. When we do, we will publish it, count on it.
abeSeptember 14, 2012 - 10:08 am
Hank White has proved time after time that he is not capable of fullfilling his obligations as general manager. Claiming harrasment is a good defense when you have something to hide.
furiousSeptember 14, 2012 - 10:30 am
The audio file is now at GDPUD. Report on Otermat "attacking the GM".
KANGAROO COURTSeptember 14, 2012 - 1:45 pm
So . . . Griffiths and Neeley thought Krizl's absence necessitated waiting for his return before electing a treasurer to replace Kathy. Interesting. They were more than happy last month for the kangaroo court to proceed one member short. As a matter of fact, except for an inconvenient technicality, they might well have proceeded with Director Otermat's lynching without her. She was given just little over 24-hours notice and we all heard their comments that they didn't care about her full-time job. Just as all their ducks were perfectly lined up then, getting a "team" approved treasurer requires similar planning. READY STEADY GO.
VerbatimSeptember 14, 2012 - 2:21 pm
Agenda Item 10 - (Selection of members of the public to review & comment on annual audit) - OTERMAT: Since there were so few people interested could we accept all three? NEELEY: It feels kind of uncomfortable to me to have somebody running for office as part of the draft committee. OTERMAT: Will you be on the draft committee You’re running for office and you’re on the draft committee. NEELEY: I didn’t say for anyone.
DuhSeptember 14, 2012 - 4:48 pm
Hillbilly nonsense. What an embarrassment to the County but quite fun to read about. It's sitcom-esque to say the least. Carry on gang of geniuses.
JanSeptember 14, 2012 - 4:50 pm
Don't bash the fine community members serviced by GDPUD. Teeth are a commodity up there. Banjo time.
B. Keegan, Pilot HillSeptember 16, 2012 - 12:37 pm
Bravo Ms. Hodson! This is the finest fictional account to date re: your coverage of a GDPUD Meeting. And the headlines "Otermat Attacks GM", I was expecting to read that she jumped over a desk with both hands trying to strangle him. What the heck kind of paper are you condoning Publisher Esposito???? Customers of GDPUD have been asking since February why can't the ALT water treatment plant be retrofitted like Walton Lake? The GM clearly said he evaluated it, presented the evaluation to the State and they denied it. This was told in Public Prop 218 Workshops! Others have sent CA Public Record Act Requests to the GM who responded "No such document exists", then this obviously arrogant incompetent GM says in July that it was a verbal statement by the State, due to they wouldn't want to put it in writing for fear of a lawsuit. The statement Director Otermat read from the state was absolutely correct: the State would never not document such a decision and only an incompetent Manager (their words) of a water agency would accept a verbal only decision. That is the key story here Mr. Esposito - the GM LIED to the PUBLIC at a PROP 218 Hearing. Hodson also writes: Otermat then accused White of making the decision on his own but of blaming the state for the decision. I listed to the meeting audio twice. OTERMAT NEVER SAID THIS. She clearly was only trying to find out if a retrofit denial existed - who and when. I sent Ms Otermat a list of blatant lies Hodson wrote and suggested she ask for a retraction. What the heck is going on with your newspaper - it's writers and editors Mr. Esposito? This is ludicrist. It never ceases to amaze me how your coverage of GDPUD is not only biased but blasphemy! The GM should be fired immediately for his actions. My friends on GDPUD also feel this should be the case. But nothing will be done with Director Griffiths, Neeley and Krizl. They need to be voted out for anything to happen. Remember... November is just around the corner.
Former mtdemo subscriberSeptember 16, 2012 - 1:05 pm
Interesting comments Mr. Keegan. I also listened to the meeting with other people yesterday while we had this article in front of us. I am going to write a letter to Mr. Esposito asking him to also listen to the meeting audio to compare what Dawn Hodson and Mike Raffety conjured up as an article. This is just plain disgusting. I have lost total respect for this two as well as the GM, who yes should be fired, so much for being a public servant these days. I don't know many "servants who make $250K per year including benefits. I hope several people are taken down by this entire incident including the GM and those spineless unethical Directors Griffiths, Neeley and Krizl. As "Verbatin" above write, yes Neeley did not want her opponent Maria Capraun as part of the audit committee. How incredibly shallow this was and by choosing to have one of Hank White's personal friend on the committee instead of the person who will be on the board (Capraun) is just another action against those who are not part of Hanky Panky's Good Ol Boys Club. Ridiculous Neeley.
changing timesSeptember 16, 2012 - 2:58 pm
Four years ago Bonnie Neeley campaigned against the sitting Director saying: a) "the record shows that he has voted for . . . the high compensation package for the General Manager"; b) "I have . . .always used the Public Forum section to express my dismay at continuing high costs"; and c) "I firmly believe that all District business be transparent, that voters should have all the facts before they make a decision." WHAT HAPPENED, BONNIE?
changing timesSeptember 16, 2012 - 3:23 pm
Jan up above was right. Director Neeley's been toothless. Maria Capraun will actually DO the job that Neeley promised to do. http://www.maria4gdpud.com/
changing timesSeptember 16, 2012 - 3:24 pm
Jan up above was right. Director Neeley's been toothless. Maria Capraun will actually DO the job that Neeley promised to do.
whoever it is . . .September 16, 2012 - 4:06 pm
The Mt Democrat stands foursquare behind the "Team" of White, Krizl & Neeley and their Cheering Section as represented by the likes of Bliss & Plymyer. This group shows ZERO interest in the truth and every interest in preserving . . . well, go figure. (BTW, who said “Journalism is to politician as dog is to lamp-post.”)
Rodney KingSeptember 16, 2012 - 8:10 pm
Can't we all just get along? Oh, Okay. Never mind. It must be something in the water on the divide....
toothlessSeptember 16, 2012 - 8:56 pm
Holey moley, mr King did you know you drowned in june? Or maybe it's Hanky Panky testin us hillbillies to see if we can detek his little white lies. Good thing, 'cause with all the practice we're gittin our noses is better than that ole coonhound of yours.
Stephanie WordsSeptember 18, 2012 - 9:06 pm
So, I wanted to write some wurds on how this really happined. Ick, so without notic Director Otermat seems to always come into the GDPUD office and make stupid public record requests. I have a lot to do there and this is really, like totally annoying. Why should I have to get up and go access records at the drop of my hat for the public. Like, ick. So here I am the other day right in the middle of buying a discounted perm on SacDeals and in comes Director Otermat. OMG. So, after asking what it was this time I find I have to supply an envelope of things. For what? Who knows, who cares? Not my concern. Then, as we are discussing how annoying it is to do my job, I see her take a photo. A photo ? Like, you can't take a photo of something, OMG, that would totally be like me writing down something and then thinking about it later. This is like insane! I need to call Mr. White, he doesn't like photos (blush). (8 minutes later).....Um, Kelly, I mean Katy you need to leave cause uh you just took a photo of something. It also looked like you were using your mind and memorized something. Plus we really don't like the public in our bizness all up in files and such. I am going to report u for doing something, but need to ask Mr. White what it is furst. Fast forward a day....Hank White has now accused Kathy Otermat of photographing customer information with the intent to distribute and apparently sell on the open market. Rate payers have paid a high paid district lawyer to draft a letter advising that this is happening that includes unfounded accusations against Director Otermat. Skeptics suggest Neeley Griffith and Krizl get together to form a plan and a special meeting is arranged in leui of the failed Otermat recall. Lawyer is called in again and paid another ~$1000 to to attend special meeting. Meeting occurs and results in the biggest cluster f*ck in the history of GDPUD and embarrasses anyone who took the time to attend. There was no evidence whatsoever and resulted in a boondoggle fee for the lawyer and backfired publicity to the GM and other Directors that supported it. All paid for by rate payers. Biggest losers are all employees of the district who have been mocked as above (copied and pasted from other message board) who were baited into suggesting something occurred when it didn't who have now lost any credibility in the community by submitting half truths at the advise of those in the midst of a political battle.
Mechele LispSeptember 19, 2012 - 6:17 am
Stephany, you are so rite. Everyon nos you can't take a photo of something. Even u wodn't rite down something and think about it later. Unless u wer making evidens about kathy for mr w. As 4 using ur mind and MEMORIZING somethin, unhurd of at GDPUD. Like I said the other day when Kathy ATTACKED mr w, "It is APPALLING." "i think its APPALLING." "iT's APPALLING." "Our general manager's resume from 10 years ago is absolutely irrelevant. APPALLING." "It has nothing to do with water."
Time to Talk PolicySeptember 21, 2012 - 5:32 pm
Michelle Bliss was appalled. John Plymyer was appalled. They don't like Kathy Otermat. They seem to think the Board should confine their deliberations to water issues. Director Otermat, however, is also concerned about the inadequacy of GDPUD policies and procedures. CATCH UP TIME, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!!! For lack of policy, the District has just been successfully sued, with plaintiffs awarded damages. "[T]he District's crew entered plaintiffs’ property with an excavator and power equipment and, without talking to plaintiffs . . . removed more than a dozen hundred year old oak trees and associated vegetation and cleaned out the ditch." (See: http://www.ineldoradocounty.com/docs/GDPUDvBATTENBERGJudgement.pdf)
Quiet Guy in the Back of the RoomSeptember 21, 2012 - 6:40 pm
To: Hank White, Bill Wright, Bonnie Neeley, Norm Krizl, Ray Griffiths, Michelle Bliss, John Plymyer, Stephanie Beck and Dolores Barron - you are the ones that are an embarrassment to the community. Bonnie Neeley in her recall ad for fellow Director Otermat also mocked Steve Gau's words and called her a micromanager. Wow - a micromanager because she wants documented policies. Without documented policies, the management, board and staff at GDPUD can runamok which they have. Steve Gau and crew thinks nothing of cutting a dozen hundred year old oak trees. This isn't rocket science people - any half-brained idiot should know that you cannot and just plain should not do this to a private property, even going outside of the prescriptive easement to get their excavator in. The judgement is so far less than the actual damage is but the Battenbergs only wanted enough to have the mess GDPUD made cleaned up and to buy some decent replacement trees. Can you imagine what Hank White or any of the other half-wits including legal counsel Bill Wright, would have done if he would have come home to find PG&E removed a dozen mature trees that provided noise abatement, shielded car lights from coming into their house in the evenings and provided privacy from neighbors? I can assure you they would not have taken PG&E to small claims, they would have tried to get their lost value back. Shame on you Hank White and Steve Gau and the usual gang of idiots who have allowed this arrogant, "we can do whatever we want" attitude to persist. Congratulations Larry and Korby Battenberg for having the courage to take on these egotistical bullies at GDPUD. And to GDPUD don't you dare waste any more of our money by appealing when you were WRONG, DEAD WRONG! To my fellow ratepayers and taxpayers, kick the GDPUD incumbents up for re-election Norm Krizl and Bonnie Neeley as far out of GDPUD as we can!
Zack SlateSeptember 21, 2012 - 7:00 pm
Hank and company seemed to think they could cut down a customer's trees without permission...but they were just removing the wood that was in their way. Let's do the same. We have some dead wood at GDPUD and we are asking permission, permission from the voters to remove it. Get rid of the dead wood and lets move on. We have a rough road ahead of us and we simply can't move forward with all this debris (pun intended) in our way.
Evelyn VeerkampSeptember 22, 2012 - 11:55 am
GDPUD MANAGEMENT-BOARD CALLED INTO QUESTION OVER LOST LAWSUIT – [Kathy Otermat] "It was a totally avoidable situation. Shortly after it happened I asked EID GM Jim Abercrombie at a Mountain Counties Water Agencies luncheon what he thought of GDPUD not having a policy re: cutting trees on private property, his reply 'absolutely absurd' and he literally ran to his office and gave me the index to their policies as well as their Operations manager contact info to ask questions on their procedures. I presented this information to our board and to this date they have refused to support having such a policy … .” ~ http://www.inedc.com/1-2151
James from GeorgetownSeptember 25, 2012 - 12:40 am
OK,just like a train wreck, I can't help but watch and listen to these GDPUD meetings. Seriously, does the GM Hank White think he is a professional worthy of his $250K salary and benefits? Just take a listen to him turn into a whiny 5-year old "waaahhhhh!" as soon as he is asked for information or worse yet questioned by his boss, a director?! What kind of hold does he have on the 3 status quo directors Krizl, Neeley and Griffiths that they let him get away with lying to the public? As a guy in the meeting Steve Miller so eloquently said "Hank you were asked at least 3 times at prop 218 meetings why the ALT plant can't be retrofitted and you blamed the state......I don't appreciate being lied to". Why hasn't the board immediately can this GM's arse? Isn't he required to answer honestly to the public at prop 218 hearings? His misrepresentation most likely caused the prop 218 protest to fail. If he had answered honestly and said "yes a retrofit may be possible but I believe a new plant is preferred", don't you think the public would have succeeded in the protest to kill the surcharge for a new plant? This GM is obviously a pathological liar because he said if the surcharge wasn't passed the state would fine GDPUD $25K per day. That too was more Hank White B.S. GDPUD ratepayers if the board doesn't fire his arse then you should file a complaint against GDPUD to reverse the surcharge and if they don't file a lawsuit. I know a judge would have a field day wading through all the BS Hank White threw at the public while trying to get them to pay for his new treatment plant that isn't needed. And Director Otermat, I heard Hank White whine to you that "you removed documents from GDPUD" when we all know including GDPUD Legel Counsel Bill Wright that, no one knows nor can prove you took anything. Please Director Otermat, sic your attorney on White for defamation. But wait until you get rid of that attorney of yours, all you'll do is give him a more thousand "counseling" your GM. Thank you Director Otermat for exposing the house of cards that the GM and status quo directors have built and is now crumbling thanks to your persistence and for not drinking the special kool aid the GM puts in the other director's water. And from what I hear you are also exposing the pro GDPUD Bias of the Mtn Democrat's Dawn Hudson, Mike Raffety and Richard Esposito. I love it, love it, love it!