El Centro Chamber of Commerce issued the following announcement on Nov. 24
The Imperial Irrigation District focuses on providing water and energy supply to Imperial County and some parts of Riverside and San Diego counties. Recent elections had two open seats for the IID Board of Directors — Divisions 2 and 4, which were filled by Bruce Kuhn and Erik Ortega respectively.
With the incumbents’ loss, the two open seats have been filled by JB Hamby for Division 2, and Javier Gonzalez for Division 4.
Despite the possible challenges ahead of having two new faces on the Board, IID’s website states their goal is to “protect the Imperial Valley’s water rights and energy balancing authority.”
IID Board President Norma Sierra Galindo explained the impact the two new directors would have on the IID. She said as the new members step up, and the old step down, changes are expected.
“Not a challenge, more of a process, getting to know each other. I know one (incoming director) pretty personally already, but adjusting to how well we will work together, priorities of the district are going to change,” Galindo said.
Galindo discussed a challenge that she expects may surface.
“The dispute between a certain group of water and who actually has the right to distribute it, is going to shift,” she said.
She also discussed Riverside County’s possible opportunity to place representatives on the IID Board with new legislation.
Riverside influence “passed legislation to expand the Board to include Riverside directors on the Board.” Galindo said that might affect “continuing our presence on the river again, regarding labor and how our new boards will negotiate with unions.”
According to Galindo, adjustments will be made and new recommendations will be brought to the table by Hamby and Gonzalez. She offered a solution for a smooth transition and to work things out with the two newbies.
“The board members are going to need to be patient, respectful, try to understand them, and then negotiate,” Galindo said.
Division 3 Director James Hanks did not give any comment on the two new board members by print time.
Division 1 Director Alex Cardenas said, “Unfortunately, I will reserve comments until the election is certified. I prefer not to disenfranchise any voter ballot that has yet to be counted.”
Though the County Registrar of Voters still has not yet finished counting the ballots, as of Sunday, November 22, JB Hamby led with more than 65 percent of the votes for Division 2, and Gonzalez led with just over 50 percent of the votes for Division 4.
As mandated by the State of California, the Registrar of Voters has until December 3, to certify the election.
Original source can be found here.
Alerts Sign-up