Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

What's Happenin'

I was always told that you should never write a letter or article when you are angry, because you will probably regret it. But then I don't always listen to the good advice I get from time to time. And this past week's anger has not yet subsided.

I guess I'm angry, because I have this naove tendency to expect the best from people. I expect that people are just going to be what they are. Oh, I expect people to disagree with things I think, but I expect them to be honest about it, to have an honest disagreement on the facts. So when they don't, I'm disappointed and often a little angry.

Now you may not have followed, but this article is about the Rural Water Project. Over the course of the last week several people have come by or called to visit with me about the specific details of the project. During the course of conversation they have relayed to me the names of people who have told them various untruths about the Rural Water Project and the sign-up process. I might just think these were misunderstandings on the part of the people they had talked to until they gave me names. And the people they named should know better. I'm not going to name them by name, because that would serve no purpose, besides you know who you are anyway. When someone has to resort to falsehood to stop progress that means their arguments won't stand up to the facts. I usually don't respond to this type of thing, but the Rural Water Project is too important for citizens of this county to let it just pass by this time.

First, the Rural Water Project will happen unless the state just insists on pulling our funds due to the lack of sign-ups. Those who are going around telling you that the project is dead are lying to you at this point. It will only be dead if they kill it. The sad thing is if they are successful in killing it they will turn around and try to blame it on the Economic Development Office, the chamber, city and county. The Economic Development Office, chamber, city and county have spent over $3,000 and several hundred hours of time trying to get information to everyone about the project. The sad part is that a few people with falsehood are also reaching a number of people.

Second, if the project were to fail or your road to be cut out of the final plan, you will get 100% of your deposit refunded to you. I know some have said that you are being cheated and that you will not get your money back if the project does not materialize. The city has over the last five years refunded money to every person who has asked for his or her deposit back. No one has ever or will ever be cheated out of a dime nor will they. The only way you will be cheated is if the project is cut or fails and you never have a water system in your area.

Third, people say that the project has failed before and will fail again. This project has never failed. Five years ago the city and county were trying to get the grant from the state. As they collected signatures people signed up. But that was the initial stage of trying to convince the state that you, the rural citizens wanted the project sufficiently for them to fund it. Still, during the process, approximately 75 people wanted their money back, and every single one received 100% of their sign-up back. And probably more surprising is that many of those who received refunds a year or two ago have come in and signed up for the project again, because they really need water.

Fourth, all this talk has made a few who call our office and have put a partial payment on their deposit, say that they are not going to pay the balance until they know for sure about the project. If you don't pay the balance by the deadline you will be subject to the higher sign-up costs. Fair is fair, and many people have worked hard to pay their sign-ups off in time. If you are waiting to pay in full until later please realize that you may jeopardize the project coming to your area.

The time is here to make a decision. Make your decision based on the facts and not on something that someone heard from someone else. It always makes me sad when people try to kill true progress. It makes me even sadder to realize that some residents who need water very badly could be hurt by the actions of a few people whose motives are unclear (at least to me).

If you need more information to help you with your decision about signing up for the Rural Water Project please call our office at 887-6208. Get the facts and sign up for water, because you deserve the progress it brings.