It is time again to write about the knucklehead that I consider the top jackass on the Newberry CSD board of directors. (Although others come close to the classification.)

    For many residents of Newberry Springs, it is a 50 to a 65-mile round-trip drive to a market to acquire basics. For those who must depend on bus service, the travel can take hours.

    CSD director Mike Matson (a good guy) is attempting to make Newberry Springs attractive. He wants to clean up Newberry's appearance to attract grants, and businesses that would sell basic household commodities, and create much-needed local jobs. As a first step, Matson wants to improve the image of the CSD board.

    Before investors invest in a community, they usually scope the community and its leaders. Matson wants the CSD to appear as a professional-looking team.

    Matson understands that it is difficult to start a business in California which is recognized as having the worst business climate in the nation. As the above cartoon implies, you can not attract retailers to a difficult location unless the community looks good.

    With an agenda item passed a few months ago, the CSD board has unanimously agreed to improve its image by having each board member wear a uniform shirt. The board purchased sharp-looking, polo-type blue shirts with the CSD's name and logo embroidered.

    Director Jack Unger, however, has continued to show up at the board meetings looking like a slob wearing a dingy, sloppy-looking green t-shirt. Unger's t-shirt at times has given the appearance that he has slept in it.

    When Director Robert Springer has shown up for recent meetings, his attire has included a bright Hawaiian shirt, work clothes, or a casual shirt. But, he is improving as a work in progress.

    Director Jack Unger has been jackass defiant.

    At the last CSD general meeting, Jack Unger riled and spoke against wearing his polo-style shirt, publicly arguing that wearing the shirt doesn't improve his board performance. He refuses to put it on.

    I must agree with Director Mike Matson. Wearing the CSD shirts does improve a director's board performance by portraying a clean, united, professional image to the public.

    There is truth to the adage, dress for success.  During Unger's CSD tenure, he has clearly demonstrated that he doesn't understand business and he doesn't understand that his tacky t-shirts make him look like an unkept tweaker. His childish ego translates that everything orbits around himself, not what is best for the community.

In its 2024, Newberry CSD Christmas photo, Jack Unger (back row center) leaned his CSD's director's shirt against his coat. He refuses to wear it.

    The CSD's office staff, all women, dress professionally for the CSD's meetings. The Fire Department's representatives are always in their clean uniforms. I am favorably impressed with these people's appearance.

    Political officials want to look good.  When aging people don't care about their appearance, it is often related to a mental decline.

    So, will the ornery adult-child conform to a professional-looking dress shirt that he earlier voted for?  Or will the obstinate little bambino resist?  This is the unfortunate drama that is going on at the silly Newberry CSD meetings. (What I have previously referred to as a circus of clowns.)

    Jack Unger has been a sorry loser for Newberry. His involvement with the CSD regarding solar development will have the community's wildlife, environment, the residents, and the residential property values suffering for decades because of his continued poor judgment.