Friday, Feb. 26, 2010

Letter: Explanation needed

I am a third generation farmer with land in the Westlands Water District. I was at a water meeting in Los Baños on Jan. 14.

When congressman Jim Costa was questioned about his voting record and why he did not vote for all seven attempts Congressman Devin Nunes, Republican -Visalia, made to pass "Turn on the pumps" legislation. The legislation would have restored water to me and other desperate Westside growers. Costa seemed upset that the question was even asked and proceeded to tell everyone in the room several times, with the TV cameras rolling that he voted for Nunes' legislation 6 out of seven times.

I could not believe that he was asserting he voted six out of seven times for the legislation because I knew it wasn't true. Politicians are notorius for using fuzzy math but that day he flat lied to us farmer and farmworkers in the room. After this meeting I have verified that Costa voted three out of five times to stop congressman Nunes' "Turn on Pump" legislation.

I was under the impression that congressman Costa was doing everything he could to help resolve a desperate and insane situation out here the Westside, but I was wrong about him.

Our farms have run out of water and financing, Costa needs to explain to us why he voted three times to kill the "Turn on the Pumps" legislation. He owes everyone at the Jan. 14 meeting an apology.

--Todd Allen