Otermat Corrects the Record about Tax Liens and Other Misrepresentations

"I recently had a conversation with Bob Villalobos, the spokesperson of the recall proponents. He told me, “Don’t take the recall personally.” I believe that differing opinions is one thing but untruthful personal attacks with the sole intent to damage my reputation for a signature on a recall petition is unjustified. I told Mr. Villalobos in the first (Mountain Democrat) article on the recall by Dawn Hudson, he was incorrect in stating that I’m late on water for my business 25 percent of the time. I have never had water for my business since it was included with rent. Did he ask Dawn to retract it? No. I asked who gave him the information? He said his source did not work for GDPUD (I felt he strongly hinted it was another board member, no surprise). Mr. Villalobos and other recall proponents show reckless disregard for spreading false information without taking any actions to correct.

In the June Town Crier there was an ad titled “Take Steps to Protect Your Water Supply” with several non-factual statements. I asked the person who submitted the ad to respond with verifiable sources for the following: When have I “frequently threatened lawsuits?” (Actually, I have tried to create policies at GDPUD to reduce the risk of lawsuits.) Which “alleged facts” that you refer to on my Website are untrue? When have I “publicly” attacked any reporter? Since you say “publicly,” in what public venue have I done this? When have I called any reporter “non-professional?” What state tax lien is “unpaid since 2007?” So far I have had no response after three separate requests. Why aren’t these ads including the author’s name(s)?

Savanna Dunn and Ed Grout have both written about my tax liens. We had IRS tax liens that were dismissed due to erroneous revenue reporting for IRA Rollovers, equipment sold to UC Berkeley sold at a loss, and stock sales that were calculated at the wrong cost basis. Once the IRS placed liens, so did the State Franchise Tax Board. The IRS liens were dismissed and we are now impatiently waiting for the state to do the same and have a tax group assisting us. Ed Grout has never asked me about any circumstances for the tax liens. He can report that we’ve had them, but a libel attorney (who contacted me and is drooling over so many published lies) has confirmed Grout cannot conjecture opinions or imply any false causes for the liens. Most folks would applaud that we were able to present our case and documentation to the IRS and win.

I’ve heard false information given about what I campaigned on. Fortunately I have every piece of campaign literature I created plus recordings of the candidate forums. I was for reducing only the top five managers salaries and benefits, not the rank and file. What backup do they have?

Mr. Villalobos stated I took a photo of petition signatures. Wrong. I took a photo of my answer on the petition to make sure it was correct. It’s still on my camera if anyone wants to see it. I also received from the Elections Office a copy of the certified petition to compare the two.

Bob Villalobos and Hank White stated I did not make 11 appointments to review files. I keep a detailed log of all communication and keep everything in writing with GDPUD. I postponed twice (two, not 11 times) due to my mom’s illness, and even then I e-mailed GDPUD that I would not even try to reschedule until she was out of the woods. I have my documentation via e-mails, where’s theirs?

If Savanna Dunn tries to tell you that I criticize your business or if Gordon Shepherd tells you I made his wife quit the board (she retired from the board before I even decided to run), please take it with a grain of salt.

I’m fortunate to get calls and e-mails daily from supporters who see right through these unscrupulous tactics, and they support what I am doing in the boardroom to protect the best interest of our ratepayers. At the last board meeting a customer asked for $150 to repair damage done by one of GDPUD’s contractors. A wise member in the public asked how much our attorney’s fees were. I answered $325 for litigation and $200 for general counsel. Director McLane and I lost that vote. What a lack of common sense for the other directors to choose a “protect and deny wrong-doing” stance with costly attorney fees when in this case one hour of an attorney is significantly more than was asked for. Here we are already with a deficit and the only ones gaining are the attorneys, and as GDPUD treasurer I’m sure I’ll see evidence in future legal billing statements.

I am available if you have any questions at 530-409-6500 (after 5 p.m. is best) or otermat@mac.com or use the contact link at www.flushthewaste.com. Also, please keep forwarding any e-mails you may have received from the proponents, flyers from bulletin boards, as well as those tall tales told by the proponents, and I’d love to know if you are interested in running for a GDPUD Board seat. I know of some strong possible candidates, but I strongly urge all fiscally prudent candidates to come forward. Only 131 days until the vote for two new GDPUD directors.

KATHY OTERMAT
GDPUD director, Seat 3, Georgetown"