Sometimes, you can tell allot about how good an argument is by the response that comes from the people who were criticized. Judging from the response from Nick Blom, and Tom Van Groningen, Mike Serpa's criticism of the Modesto Irrigation District must certainly have a great deal of merit.

We elect the MID Board Members to make the important decisions to insure our rate payers get the best value for their dollar. The ability of the majority of Board Members to restrict the access of information to another Board Member allows "back room" decisions to be put into place without the public discussion, and full disclosure that should be always upheld.

It should be the duty of the MID Staff to provide any, and all information requested by any Board Member in order for that Board Member to make these important decisions. Any effort by the other Board Members to restrict access of information can only be seen as a way of manipulating the outcome of important votes on policy and expenditures by the MID.

Mike Serpa should be commended for his refusal to make uninformed decisions on expensive projects such as the Westley-Rosemore transmission line. There is a reason why there are four elected Board Members, and no Board Member should be restricted in his ability to ascertain the facts concerning any MID project.

By arbitrarily putting a one hour limit on staff time that can be used to obtain information, the MID is expecting their Board Members to make unintelligent decisions on important and expensive projects. Who decides how long it is going to take to gather information? This whole thing stinks of collusion and closed government. Perhaps it is time for the voters to elect more people who want the complete facts before they vote.

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