Letter: Thanks to Pistoresi for water bank
We always enjoy Chuck Doud’s editor’s corner, but we particularly enjoyed his editorial Saturday June 14, “Water crisis could change our lives.”
We agree with every point Mr. Doud made regarding what the residents of Madera County can expect because the water crisis is coming. In fact, with the uncontrolled development and the upcoming release of water from Friant Dam into the San Joaquin River for the salmon, it’s right around the corner.
The only correction we would suggest is regarding the last paragraph where he states, “Right now the only good news is that the Madera Irrigation District had the foresight to establish its water bank.” Mr. Doud is right on the target regarding the fact that the Madera Water Bank is necessary, because it will be the salvation of not only Madera’s farming community but also all of Madera’s residents.
We would like to set the record straight by suggesting that is wasn’t the Madera Irrigation District’s (MID) foresight, but Ron Pistoresi who at that time was president of MID’s board.
For many years, while sometime neglecting his farming operations, Ron spent hundreds of hours and many days attending meetings up and down the state of California and going to the state capital, meeting with the governor’s staff, state Senate and Assembly leaders. Ron also met multiple times with Sen. Dianne Feinstein and congressional representatives Radanovich, Cardoza, Costa, and staffs.
He also single-handily put the Madera Water Bank together, including the purchase of the Madera Ranch, while experiencing from time to time opposition from some of the MID board members.
It wasn’t until late 2006, when it appeared the water bank was going to become a reality, that other people started getting involved for whatever reason.
Kudos to Ron Pistoresi for the Madera Water Bank becoming a reality and a sincere thank you, Ron, for all your hard work and devotion making the Madera Water Bank come to fruition.
Randall McKinney,
Madera
