The Oakdale Irrigation District race on the November ballot will feature two contested races – one in OID Division 2 that includes portions of both Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties and one in Division 5 – an area which includes a portion of rural Riverbank along with Oakdale.

Voters in the Escalon area included in the OID boundaries will choose between incumbent Herman Doornenbal and challenger Don Taro, seeking to fill the Division 2 post.

In a recent Q&A session with The Times, both candidates were posed the same questions regarding the upcoming election and the business of OID.

Following are their responses.

Herman Doornenbal

Oakdale Irrigation District

Division 2 Director Candidate

Question: Briefly outline your reasons for running for the OID Board

Answer: Over the past eight years on the Board I have become very knowledgeable on what it takes to protect and defend that which we have, our water. I’d like to carry that forward to help meet the needs of our District and its constituents.

OID is a great organization and well respected by water Districts in the State. I enjoy working in that environment. The staff and people are top-notch and we should be thankful that they are on our team.

What are your specific qualifications for the post?

To want this job, you have to be passionate about water. I am. The essential qualifications cover a very broad spectrum. History of water, political issues, local needs and resources, current and future concerns etc.

Being a farmer whose livelihood depends on water makes me even more passionate about protecting, both for myself and more importantly for our community that depends on it.

I was born and raised here and I will die here. I’m not going anywhere so making this community strong and vibrant is important to me.

The board has been divisive over the last several months; what steps would you take to bring the focus back to a cohesive board focused on the district’s business?

I think there is some learning to be done and some refreshers that need to occur for all Board members with regard to: Policies, governance, Brown Act, Rules of Order, etc. This is essential for a successful Board. The implementation of these items ensures clarity and cohesiveness of Board members.

First and foremost is an understanding that “policy” drives the OID. Adherence to policy is very important, as it clearly advises Board members of responsibilities and duties.

As water becomes even more of a precious resource, how do you feel the OID Board can safeguard the supply for not only its current customers but planning for the future supply for city residents as well?

OID has a Master Water Resources Plan that lays out how we can best protect our water rights and the water resources we have. OID adopted the plan in 2007 and have invested $68 million in our water system to modernize it to State standards. The OID Board has agreed 4-0 to advance and update that plan and that is moving forward in partnership with South San Joaquin Irrigation District and Stockton East Water District. Just recently, the OID Board has agreed. Within the plan will be the protection of the community’s water as it was in the last plan.

What do you think is the most misunderstood part of what OID does? How can you educate the public more on what a director’s role is?

This is a difficult job. It’s complex. We deal with State government, Federal government and Environmentalists on all water issues. We deal with those same agencies on water quality issues, water rights and fisheries. We deal with a bunch of stuff and this happens every day. The OID business is fast paced, it’s forever changing and what is today may not be so by the next Board meeting. If you’re not on the inside dealing with it constantly, trying to explain it to a casual observer or constituent is not very easy. I can see how it is misunderstood but to understand it you have to immerse yourself in it.

I’m still learning and I’ve been there eight years.

On educating the public, first of all, our constituents need to know that we are readily available by phone or appointment for any and all questions. For the past eight years my policy has always been to return phone calls in a timely manner, or meet them personally, on site, at their convenience. It may also be time to discuss OID hiring a Public Relations person to deal with other complex issues such as South San Joaquin District has done.

Many people have asked for a nighttime meeting as opposed to daytime when the majority of working folks cannot attend - is this something you would support. If so, why - if not, why not?

OID is currently holding one daytime and one nighttime meeting per month. I have no particular preference one way or the other.

Any additional message to voters?

Like I said, I’ve been here my whole life. I saw what OID used to be like in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s and it wasn’t good. Today it is a great organization of which I am very proud. It has some of the lowest cost water in the region. It’s well positioned to meet our future water challenges. It’s well financed. It’s well managed and staffed and there’s lots of prideful ownership in that. Yes, we have made mistakes but that’s part of life too. We need to be more visionary about the future, not myopic about the past. I want to continue to help build OID’s future as a Director on its Board.

Don Taro

Oakdale Irrigation District

Division 2 Director Candidate

Question: Briefly outline your reasons for running for the OID Board

Answer: Protecting our community’s water rights and groundwater supply must become a top priority for the Oakdale Irrigation District.

OID’s current leaders have put our water rights at risk by “abandoning” river water so they could sell it downstream without abiding by our state’s water transfer requirements and environmental restrictions.

The district’s own attorney warned OID directors such an abandonment tactic could jeopardize our water rights, but OID’s board majority voted to do it anyway.

Such shortsighted decisions are not in our community’s long-term best interest.

Far too many domestic water wells – especially around Valley Home – have gone dry. OID’s practice of exporting our community’s surface water while at the same time pumping down our local groundwater supply could be putting additional domestic wells at risk.

I favor keeping our irrigation water in our region where it will recharge our groundwater basins and benefit our local agricultural economy. That also will help stop our wells from running dry.

Preserving our aquifers is important for Oakdale city residents, too, because we all drink groundwater. When our underground reserves dwindle, water quality suffers. That’s happened in other parts of the San Joaquin Valley – which is why outsiders are so eager to buy our water – but we can’t allow that to happen here.

A change in leadership is needed at the OID. That is why I am seeking election to the Division 2 seat on OID’s Board of Directors, representing northern Oakdale, Valley Home and rural Escalon.

What are your specific qualifications for the post?

I served 14 years on Valley Home’s School Board, so I am familiar with how good directors can positively influence a government agency. I understand the importance of electing strong leaders who can make sure our public agencies focus on meeting our community’s needs.

I have ranched, worked and lived in this community my whole life. I pledge to represent the best interests of our residents – not just big landowners – if elected to the OID board.

My father, Tony Taro, was an OID director for many years, and I grew up attending board meetings and learning about the water district. I know how hard he worked to be fair and make good decisions.

I am committed to dedicating the time and effort it takes to get OID back on the right track.

The board has been divisive over the last several months; what steps would you take to bring the focus back to a cohesive board focused on the district’s business?

Getting along is important for board members, but that does not mean directors should silently vote as they’re told to vote without asking questions.

Just because previous OID board members routinely voted in unison without any public debate does not mean they were doing the right thing for our community.

Two years ago, Oakdale voters made it clear they were not happy with the decisions OID directors had been making, which is why Gail Altieri and Linda Santos were overwhelmingly elected to the board.

It is shameful how the men on OID’s board have treated these two duly-elected women. OID’s three male directors – including the incumbent I am challenging in this election – unjustly filed legal actions against Altieri and Santos to prevent the women from taking part in OID decisions.

A Superior Court judge ruled in the women’s favor ON EVERY SINGLE ALLEGATION, but OID’s old guard now is wasting more taxpayer money by appealing that decision. It’s time OID directors learn that No Means No.

I will vote to immediately stop OID’s mean-spirited legal maneuvers targeting Altieri and Santos. I believe in having good faith discussions with people to resolve disputes, rather than spending taxpayer money filing legal actions.

As water becomes even more of a precious resource, how do you feel the OID Board can safeguard the supply for not only its current customers but planning for the future supply for city residents as well?

Oakdale city residents drink well water, which has been impacted by OID’s exportation of surface water and pumping of groundwater.

Oakdale city residents also pay more than $1 million a year in property taxes to the OID, even though irrigation water to city homes was shut off more than a decade ago. OID now sells the water that used to go to Oakdale homes, and it keeps all the proceeds.

That’s not fair.

We need a community-wide discussion on exactly what funds and services OID should be providing to Oakdale city residents. OID cannot continue taking city tax dollars and water rights without fairly compensating Oakdale community members.

It’s also time OID seriously considers how its surplus irrigation water could be put to beneficial use inside the city. Our community needs a thorough analysis of options for treating OID’s surplus surface water so it someday might be used as an alternative or supplemental source of Oakdale drinking water.

What do you think is the most misunderstood part of what OID does? How can you educate the public more on what a director’s role is?

Voters elect public agency directors to represent their community’s best interest. Elected officials are supposed to set the course for public agencies, making sure staff members follow their lead.

OID’s directors are responsible for hiring a well-qualified, honest and trustworthy general manager who is committed to serving the greater public good.

It is vitally important that directors not be “Yes Men” who simply rubberstamp whatever a general manager proposes.

It is our voters’ job to make sure directors are doing their job. That’s why we’re having this Nov. 7 election.

Many people have asked for a nighttime meeting as opposed to daytime when the majority of working folks cannot attend - is this something you would support. If so, why - if not, why not?

I agree evening meetings are important because all community members deserve the opportunity to participate in OID meetings and discussions.

OID’s current leaders, however, have repeatedly cancelled their evening meetings, claiming there was nothing important to talk about. It is wrong for OID’s current leaders to cram all the district’s critical decisions onto their daytime agendas. Is that done because they know working people cannot attend those daytime meetings?

Avoiding public input creates suspicion about what’s really going on. Holding evening meetings where everyone is welcome will help alleviate such mistrust.

Any additional message to voters?

Our community deserves better leaders on OID’s board of directors. We deserve directors who will think for themselves, act in the community’s best interest and avoid needless conflicts.

I urge all voters to pay close attention to what’s happening in the OID. Watch out for fancy professionally produced mailers, which cost thousands of dollars to create and send. Ask yourself who’s bankrolling these expensive promotions. What’s their real motivation?

For more information about me and what I stand for, please visit my Facebook page (which hasn’t cost me a single cent) at www.Facebook.com/ElectDonTaro. Or email me at ElectDonTaro@gmail.com.

Vote by mail ballots have already been delivered to voters in many cases and for those that choose to go to the polls, Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 7.