As the Newberry Springs Community Alliance predicted, the Newberry CSD's attorney rejected the proposed Cadiz, Inc. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).  In its place, the attorney has submitted a Letter of Intent (LOI).  Any agreement with Cadiz, Inc., including an LOI, will trigger liability exposure for the CSD.

    Although the CSD Board originally submitted the MOU for legal review, the returned LOI was immediately - and inappropriately - referred by the CSD office to the Cadiz Water Committee WITHOUT BOARD APPROVAL.

    What the Committee is supposed to do hasn't been stated as this should be in the hands of the board.  A public Committee meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 6 P.M. at the Newberry CSD Building.

    Given that the Committee's MOU was so poorly constructed that the attorney had to reject it, having the LOI revision sent to the Committee for a 'repeat bad performance' raises serious administrative questions.

    While the CSD's General Manager's good judgment suggests that she is not responsible for the Committee referral, the assignment then likely came from the CSD's Chair, Paula Deel, who has consistently pressured the CSD to partner with Cadiz, Inc.

    Evidence suggests that Rose Beardshear, the Chamber of Commerce's treasurer, has heavily influenced Director Deel's actions regarding this project.  While both queens are part of the Chamber of Commerce, Rose Beardshear has trouble staying in her lane.

    Furthermore, Director Deel appears to be headed toward a California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) ticket.  Her dual roles - advocating for the pipeline while tied to community organizations that are simultaneously directing the CSD to approve it - creates a clear conflict of loyalty.

    Having restricted the Water Committee's ability to conduct its due diligence of vetting Cadiz, Inc., CSD President Deel has engaged in a severe dereliction of duty, prioritizing her personal agenda, friendships, and community service organization involvement over her fiduciary responsibilities to the CSD and Newberry's citizens.

    Chamber treasurer, Rose Beardshear, had placed her reputation on the MOU's legal approval, which has been shot down.  She has also publicly claimed that the Northern Pipeline project is not a scam.

    Yet, she doesn't have the good judgment to see that Cadiz, Inc. lacks the permits to deliver on its promises, and that the company has a long history of broken commitments to water distributors in Los Angeles and Orange counties.  Empty agreements are a pattern with Cadiz, Inc.

    Paula Deel needs to recuse herself from any further Cadiz, Inc. activity.

    With the irresponsible leaders we have in Newberry Springs, the management of our community remains in trouble.