Arthur Crowell: Hats off to Brichetto for getting in way of OID’s plan

Re “Controversy roiling at OID” and “Still having trouble with point that OID’s making” (Opinions, March 1): My hat is off to Louis Brichetto for creating at least a temporary legal roadblock concerning Oakdale Irrigation District’s plan to sell water sold outside the district. Many thanks are due to The Modesto Bee for reporting both sides of the story. The residents of OID should take advantage of this “pause in negotiations” to make plans to recall their board of directors, if possible.

General Manager Steve Knell’s comments in the March 1 edition were off point. If the district and its farmers have to pump water to grow crops, they don’t have excess water to sell – period! If the drought continues, the amount of money gained now will be a pittance compared to the losses created due to lack of water. Even though I am from outside the OID, my forefathers helped create the Turlock Irrigation District system. My family has farmed in Turlock for 115 years, so I am familiar with the “blood and sweat” referred to by Steve Knell. We should all support Louid Brichetto and try to stop or remove the OID board.

This story was originally published March 4, 2015 at 4:52 PM with the headline "Arthur Crowell: Hats off to Brichetto for getting in way of OID’s plan."