Frank Clark: Protecting our water is my highest priority

I ask voters of Oakdale Irrigation District’s Division 1 to re-elect me to the board of directors so that I may continue to represent them during the most serious water crisis in California history.

The possible effects of global warming, population growth, insufficient storage, deterioration of the Delta’s ecosystem and the drought have created this crisis. As it grows, state and federal regulators look at our irrigation water with thoughts of solving many serious problems. It means one of our most urgent priorities is protecting OID’s Stanislaus River water rights, which date to 1909. While we continue to put our water to beneficial and efficient use, legal battles with state and federal agencies proceed uninterrupted. The state wants to take 20 percent more of our irrigation water for environmental purposes – devastating our communities.

I have worked diligently the past 14 years to ensure the district employs the best management and bargaining-unit employees. The district has cash reserves of over $40 million, up from only $18 million in 1999.

My 50-plus years of experience includes 11 years with the Modesto police, three years with the State Department in Vietnam, 23 years at E.&J. Gallo Winery managing seven departments and 250 employees. Please allow me to continue to serve.

This story was originally published September 28, 2015 at 3:11 PM with the headline "Frank Clark: Protecting our water is my highest priority."