McPhee obviously doesn't need facts

Archie McPhee’s latest screed about the governance of FPUD achieves the difficult objective of being more misleading than his usual drivel.

Mr. McPhee apparently forms his opinions based on the principal “FPUD is always wrong. What did they say?” In the case of his latest letter (Village News, 3/17), some of the things he could have done to inform himself about a proposal to process sludge more efficiently were:

1. Attend the February 28 FPUD board meeting, where the item was discussed.

2. Read the comprehensive staff report.

3. Actually call or visit staff to discuss his concerns.

He did none of those things, but then he obviously doesn’t need facts (fact: n. knowledge or information based on real occurrences), just opinions. Clearly the reason the voters of Fallbrook and Escondido have rejected him time and again: he’s an uninformed individual with an undeservedly overdeveloped sense of importance. Just ask him.

Specifically, yes, Mr. McPhee, the FPUD board knows sludge smells. Every day. If you had informed yourself you would know some facts.

1. The board has not approved a project, but as good stewards we have chosen to investigate future options.

2. Sludge disposal costs will soon almost double.

3. The method being reviewed has odor control equipment and produces a stable fertilization/soil amendment which you can buy in bags today at any of our local agricultural supply stores, and lastly,

4. The investment as proposed has a rate of return on capital of almost 23 percent. What does your portfolio do, Mr. McPhee? If you get a better annual return on your funds I’d like to know how.

It would theoretically be possible for Mr. McPhee to become a constructive participant in local affairs, but that would take work, not the uniformed opinion he routinely serves up.