Editor, Manteca Bulletin,

When I moved to Manteca, from Modesto four years ago I happily signed the petition and was hopeful to have South San Joaquin Irrigation District offer respite for the exorbitant fees charged by PG&E. For over 20 years I lived in Modesto, and benefited from Modesto Irrigation District providing reasonably priced electric service that was provided in a consistent manner. 

I gloated to family living in Riverbank that I was so lucky then to live in Modesto and have a local agency, MID provide my service. When I relocated to Manteca, I was so happy to learn of SSJID and was hopeful that I would not have to suffer PG&E’s high raising rates for very long. My, how wrong I was! Instead, here we are several years later, no closer to escaping this Utility Monopoly and PG&E’s high prices. I believe in SSJID, I want the option, to give PG&E a little healthy competition and get my electric service from SSJID. One may hear that “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” However, what you’re hearing about SSJID saving you 15 percent off your current electric bill is true! And what’s more, there’s no catch. No bump in rates after an introductory period, just savings, plain and simple. We have been overpaying for electricity too long. Residents and businesses in South San Joaquin County deserve better. Rather than paying to keep PG&E’s lights on in San Francisco, our dollars should stay locally and benefit our community. On Dec. 10, I urge the LAFCo board to vote to grant SSJID the power to provide electricity. 

I really want the option to shop for my electric service and I want to try to be able to save money. I am prudent in my usage of electric services yet my costs continue to rise. Please, please help get the word out, let’s give SSJID the chance to come thru on their promises (and give PG&E a little healthy competition).

Adina Olivares

Manteca