With our local unemployment rate of 10.2 percent (US Bureau of Labor Statistics) we all need to work together to create and keep jobs in our community.  For over 126 years, Turlock Irrigation District has been a customer owned company that has been a positive part of our community.  Unfortunately, our community is not being well served by the recent practice of hiring contract workers from Texas to fill vacant TID line worker positions.

In February 2013, TID entered into a contract with American Site Builders to fill jobs that TID residents would benefit from.  During the first 6 months of the contract, TID has sent more than $1,717,768.50 of our local money to Texas to pay for their services.  If those vacant line positions were filled locally, most of that money would be reinvested into our local economy because local employees pay local taxes, buy local products and support local businesses. 

In a time where our economy is in need of assistance, I think it is time we take those jobs back and support the people of our community in a way that also benefits our local economy.  After all, if we don’t take care of our community, who will?

— Kerry Ann Capps