Your Water Company Since 1919 Fall 2019 • Volume 19

thing,” Wattenbarger said, “is that our customers own a piece of this company, and don’t think they’re not watching.” “To me,” OMWC General Manager Doug Nunneley said, “one of the things about mutual water companies is that their customers have the ability to interact with the staff and board. It’s their water company. They are shareholders.” OMWC and NORMWD would go on to successfully consolidate, securing OMWC’s customers lower water bills. “I think the most significant changes to OMWC have occurred in the last five or six years,” OMWC Board President Lonny Boller said. “The merger/consolidation with NORMWD and new billing options are probably the most significant.” As OMWC enters its next century of service, the board promises to stay OMWC celebrates 100 years of committed to serving the community, a characteristic Wattenbarger has seen in every board member. quality water at lowest cost “I think the success of OMWC is that the board has always looked out for the ildale Mutual Water Company maintenance expenses from North interest of all the customers,” Nunneley (OMWC), one of the largest and most of the River Municipal Water District said. successful mutual water companies (NORMWD) regarding wholesale water O “I have had the privilege of working was born October 19, 1919. The private, deliveries to OMWC. with some great board members over not-for-profit corporation has reached Such disputes with NORMWD would my years of service on the board,” an incredible milestone: a century of continue through to the 21st century. Wattenbarger agreed. “We’re all providing its customers the best quality In 2012, OMWC asked its customers community-minded.” water available at the lowest cost. to vote for a more responsible NORMWD After a hundred years of service to this Founded by the residents of Oildale a board of directors. community, Boller said OMWC offers one hundred years ago, OMWC continues to “While we have always been willing of the lowest water rates in the area and, build its legacy of a developed provisioned to pay our fair share of expenses,” OMWC possibly, the state. water system that meets the demands wrote in its March 2012 newsletter, “We are looking to the future,” Boller of a growing community. While that “we must protect our customers from said, “and replacing retiring personnel community – as stockholders – regulates over-charging and lack of financial with younger people to keep the ball OMWC, its success is greatly due to the accountability by our water wholesaler, rolling.” care and oversight of dedicated staff and NORMWD.” Since the staff and leadership of members of the board of directors. A call-to-action by the OMWC board OMWC are themselves parents and For half of OMWC’s current lifespan, of directors secured them a win in the grandparents, they have always had an OMWC Board Vice President Don November 2012 elections. Three new eye toward responsible management in Wattenbarger has looked over OMWC with directors were elected to serve on the order to ensure this vital water supply for a strong dedication to its mission. NORMWD board and a stronger fiscal generations to come. After one hundred In 1981, Wattenbarger and the other position was secured for every taxpayer in years, it appears they have succeeded. OMWC board of directors questioned the Oildale community. Cheers to the next one hundred years a 685% increase in operations and “The message I got out of the whole of OMWC! OMWC AT A GLANCE A brief timeline of major events 1999: The new OMWC office, located at 2836 19 0 9: Oildale, California McCray Street, is constructed on a four-acre site is founded 1977: Oildale receives treated, imported California State Water Project water from the Kern County Water 1969: North of the River Municipal Agency Water District is formed 1909 1919 1950 1969 1977 1999

October 19, 1919: OMWC is founded by area citizens to develop a water system to meet the demands of a grow- ing community January 25, 1999: Snow falls 1950: OMWC is relocated to 222 Minner Ave. on Oildale and OMWC

Water drop gets new name Follow us This summer, we asked you to help us name Follow us on Facebook and our beloved mascot. We waited patiently as Twitter for updates on OMWC, many of you submitted your suggestions. One Oildale and, of course, WATER! of our favorite entries came from one of our You will also have the opportu- Facebook followers, Jeff Lewis. nity to join us in the occasional “Dewy Drop sounds kind of catchy,” game of “Find The Drop,” a favor- Lewis wrote, “and ite of all our current followers! can be inter- preted various Facebook: ways. He Dewy https://www.facebook. could teach com/OildaleWaterCo the Dew’s & Don’ts of Water Conserva- Twitter: tion.” https://twitter.com/ OildaleWaterCo We love it and hope you dew, too! New website Have you visited our website lately? We recently made some 1999: The new OMWC office, located at 2836 changes to help make it easier for you McCray Street, is constructed on a four-acre site to navigate!

Home Buttons for the following pages can be found at our Home page and will make it easy for you to visit those pages with just a click of a 2017: OMWC’s online button: system goes live • ACH Payment Processing Application • Pay Your Bill Online • Water Conservation • Emergency Service

1999 2009 2017 2019 Pay Your Bill Our payment options (ACH, Recurring and 2009: A remote Quick Pay) are listed on our Pay Your Bill page. Each option meter reading includes a brief description of how it system is works. Simply click the button of the implemented, payment option you’re interested in requiring the and you’ll be redirected right to it! replacement of existing meters How to Read Your Bill January 25, 1999: Snow falls Having trouble reading on Oildale and OMWC October 19, 2019: OMWC turns 100! your bill? Visit our website and scroll over to our menu on the left-hand side. There, you’ll find our How to Read Your Bill page under “Rates.”

The Dew’s & Don’ts of Winter Water Conservation Search We understand that DON’T waste cold running water in the mornings. even after our website renovations, you may still DEW collect the cold running water while you have a hard time finding what you’re wait for it to grow hot. Use the water you looking for. That’s why we added a collected to water your plants! Search button to every single page! Simply type in a topic or keyword and DON’T increase your energy costs you’ll be guided to your destination. waiting for your cold running water to heat up. DEW install an instant water heater near your kitchen sink to reduce wasting water and Board of Directors energy costs. Lonny Boller, President Don Wattenbarger, Vice President water your lawn regularly during the winter. DON’T Ross Johnson, Director DEW cut down on the times you water your lawn every Jason Wattenbarger, Director week during the winter, especially when it rains. Staci Allison, Director Doug Nunneley, General Manager A man of few words The powerful story of Hugh Pearson

t is with deep sorrow that learned.” their adult children, stock we inform you of the death Despite not being an Oildale car racing and advocating for of Oildale Mutual Water native, Hugh told us in 2012 he Mothers Against Drunk Driving Company Board Member had no plans to leave the board. (MADD) after Carla’s 23-year- IHugh John Pearson. Pearson “He enjoyed serving the old stepson, Adam Pierce, was passed away on September 6, people of Oildale,” Carla said. killed by a drunk driver in 2002. 2019 after battling issues “He was very passionate about caused by the chemical Agent it. When it was close for him Hugh’s obituary in The Orange contracted while to pass, Hugh cried about not Bakersfield Californian fighting in the Vietnam War. being able to be on the board reads: Carla Pearson, Hugh’s wife, anymore. He always wanted Hugh was preceded in death said Hugh first experienced to – and hoped – he was making by his parents John and June complications more than 20 Oildale better. He loved Oildale; Pearson of Bakersfield. He is years ago, long before she first Hugh Pearson it was everything to him.” survived by his wife Carla and met him. As soon as Hugh Before serving on the board, his four children. Daughter returned from combat, he board. Hugh was a fireman with the Sherri Hatley and son-in-law experienced skin rashes and “Hugh showed his City of Bakersfield in the ‘70s, a Dennis Hatley of Clark Fork, ID, difficulty walking. When Hugh dedication,” OMWC Vice home builder for 20 years and, daughter Lisa Hill and son-in- attempted to receive any type President Don Wattenbarger later, a property manager. law Dustin Hill of Bakersfield, of compensation, he was said. “He was here when he was In 1999, Hugh and Carla CA, son Cale Pearson and denied by the United States sick, when he should have been opened Hugh Pearson’s Quick daughter-in-law Meghan Department of Veterans Affairs. home.” Lube, Smog and Wash on North Pearson of Redmond, OR and Hugh did not disclose to “I’m going to keep doing Chester. Together, the two son Andy Pierce of Bakersfield, anyone, not even to Carla, that my best to keep the water enjoyed traveling and visiting CA. Grandkids Joslyn Camp, he was a veteran for years. rates low,” Hugh told us back Cole Camp, Kala Hill, Callie According to Carla, when Hugh in March 2012. “I want to be a Hill, Gracie Hill, Colin Pearson, went on a Kern County Honor good voice on the board.” Ian Pearson and Nolan Pierce. Flight to see his monument, his According to Carla, however, Siblings Denia Pearson, Tim life changed. Hugh’s voice was often limited Pearson and Gareth Pearson. For two years prior to to a few words. Hugh’s death, Carla said KBAK “When he did have — To view Hugh Pearson’s story by Eyewitness News Reporter Jeff comments or would take time KBAK Eyewitness News Reporter Platt followed Hugh and his to talk,” Carla said, “Hugh’s Jeff Platt, type the following link in story. When Carla realized how words were very powerful. They your web browser: important it was for Hugh to had a lot of meaning to them. Mutual Water Company Vice https://www.facebook. tell his story, she reached out to Hugh wasn’t a person who President Don Wattenbarger talks com/JeffPlattTV/videos/ about Hugh Pearson’s contributions to Platt. would just talk to talk. When he vb.1508650202789932/ “[Platt] was the only person OMWC and the Oildale community spoke, you needed to listen to at the OMWC monthly board 2524450457788287/ who could do the story because him. There was a lesson to be meeting on November 19. ?type=2&theater he knew Hugh,” Carla said. “The minute Hugh knew he could tell his story, he got every bit of strength he had to sit on his chair and tell his story.” “[Hugh’s] bravery in the face of death was unwavering and admirable,” Platt said, “but what really touched me was his compassion and concern for his brothers still fighting. The only reason he wanted to tell his story was to help those who still had hope. His unapologetic From left to right: Ryan Nunneley, Staci Allison, Ross Johnson, Lonny Boller, Carla Pearson, Don Wattenbarger, Allan selflessness still inspires me.” Evans, Doug Nunneley and Jason Wattenbarger. The Oildale Mutual Water Company board presented Carla Pearson, For more than 30 years, Hugh Pearson’s wife, with Hugh’s resolution. They thanked Carla for Hugh’s service and dedication to the board and the Hugh held a seat on the OMWC Oildale community.