The conflict continues between candidates running for the North of the River Municipal Water District Board. On Thursday, the NOR board president filed a complaint against her opponents' campaign which is funded, in part, by Oildale Mutual Water Company.
On Friday, the president of the board found her competitors' campaign sign right outside her house. She calls it an intimidation tactic.
Three races and six candidates, all running for the North of the River Water District Board. Three are supported by NOR, including Board President Rebecca McClure, Board Member Jack Scoles and first-time candidate Jim Coulter. Coulter said if elected he will be fair.
"I will having a voice on the board to put an end to any wasteful spending if that's going on. I am here to represent the people not some special interest group or special company," said Coulter, Division 1 candidate.
"I hope to bring what I have been bringing all of these years," said Scoles, Division 5 candidate.
Rebecca McClure said her experience, she's been a board members since 2007, makes her the right candidate for the job. But, she said this campaign is getting dirty. On Thursday, she filed a complaint against Oildale Mutual Water Company for illegally financing her opponents' campaign and on Friday she found her opponents' sign across the street.
"This was strategically placed so that when I walked out of my house, this is what I would see and I would get upset," said McClure. "I feel like I am being attacked at my own home."
McClure acknowledged that it is not illegal for her opponent to put a sign on the public street in front of her home.
Oildale Mutual could not be reached for comment regarding the sign in front of McClure's home, but said the legal complaint has no basis in truth.
"There's no foundation for it at all," said Doug Nunneley, General Manager of Oildale Mutual Water Company. "We've done everything above board."
Oildale Mutual buys its water from NOR and is suing NOR because they claim NOR is unfairly raising prices. They are financially backing candidates hoping to put an end to that. Those candidates are Jim Tyack, Ray Etcheverry and Dennis Meier.
17 News aired excerpts of an interview with Tyack on Monday. He is running against Jim Coulter in Division 1.
17 News could not reach the other candidates supported by Oildale Mutual for comment, but in Oildale Mutual newsletters, both explained why they're running.
Meier, who's running against Scoles in Division 5, said "The thing that bothers me is how corrupt things seem to be. People are not paying attention to stuff like they should."
Etcheverry, who's running against McClure in Division 3, said "We've got to keep an eye on costs - it's just that simple."
Oildale Mutual said they contributed about $10,000 to the campaign. NOR candidates said they are financing their own campaigns.