Leadership

By Gary Thompson

I have been a community leader in many local and regional boards and organizations for over 20 years. I am proud of the record of accomplishment of these entities during this time and look forward to continued service in our community.

I was elected to our city's first City Council in November of 1999 during the cityhood incorporation election, have served on the City Council ever since, and served as the city's Mayor in 2003 and 2009 and Mayor Pro Tempore in 2002, 2007 and 2008. As a member of the City Council, I have supported and guided the successful establishment of the management infrastructure and operation of our city utilizing minimal city staff and accruing significant reserves, as well as implementation of several initiatives that have enhanced our citizen's quality of life. These include increased law enforcement, development and implementation of traffic improvement programs and enhancements, creation of community programs for our children, teens, young adults and seniors, establishment of the funding, design and construction of the Civic Plaza complex consisting of the Bell Tower Regional Community Center and City Hall, design and construction of our community skateboard and dog parks, and a leadership role in raising public awareness to an early proposed freeway from Riverside County through Trabuco Canyon, resulting in successfully bringing our city's voice into the regional dialogue on this issue, and thwarting that effort. Most recently, I was actively engaged in the final settlement of the Chiquita Ridge land dispute with the county which has allowed the city to obtain a significant amount of developable land, which will be mandated to eventually include one of the largest sports parks in south Orange County. I continue to insist on fiscal conservatism in all matters related to city budget issues and expenditures of taxpayer funds, and take a leadership role in ensuring that limited government and judicious use of taxpayer money is maintained as a high priority for the city.

Board Member--Orange County Vector Control District

I represent our city on the Orange County Vector Control District Board of Trustees, a panel of elected and appointed officials from each city within Orange County, and a representative from the county. The Board of Trustees of this independent special district is responsible for policy making decisions effecting the management of eradication and abatement of disease carrying vectors, in particular, the West Nile Virus mosquito and the Red Imported Fire Ant abatement programs. I also serve on District's Budget and Finance Committee.

Board Member--Orange County Public Library Advisory Board

I currently represent our city on the Orange County Public Library Advisory Board, a panel of elected officials from each city which has a county library located within its boundaries, and two members of the county Board of Supervisors. The Board is responsible for advising the county Board of Supervisors on all aspects of library functions, including finance and budget, operations, capital improvement programs, and library sponsored community programs.

Former Board Member--California Water Quality Control Board, San Diego Region

I formerly served as an appointee of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to the California Water Quality Control Board, San Diego Region from 2008 through 2009. The role of the San Diego Regional Board is developing and enforcing water quality objectives and implementing plans that will best protect the regions state and federal watersheds and the ocean. The San Diego Regional Board is comprised of nine members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. The San Diego Board's responsibilities include issuing waste discharge requirements, enforcement action against violators, and monitoring water quality. While on the Board, one of my key focus areas was successfully gaining a board recognition of the importance of maximizing water reclamation and recycling, in particular wet and dry weather urban run off, in recognition of the current supply issues facing the entire southern California region. I was successful in gaining that support and bringing the Water Quality Control Board to the table with the water supply industry in working on resolving the many conflicting regulatory impediments to achieving maximization of this resource.

Former Board Member--El Toro Reuse Planning Authority (ETRPA)

I represented our city as a member of the Board of Directors of the El Toro Reuse Planning Authority, the coalition of South County cities, special districts, school districts and community organizations that worked diligently to successfully prevent a 24 hour per day, 7 day per week international airport from being developed at El Toro, an airport that would have sent over 60% of its flights directly over the city. I served from 2000 until the agency's dissolution in 2007, and served as Vice Chairman in 2003 and 2004. While on the board, I was intimately involved in several initiatives, both politically and through the litigation process that were key components for defeating the proposed airport. With the successful campaign to kill the airport plan behind us, and the development of the Great Park underway, ETRPA was dissolved in 2007, having fulfilled its mission.

Former Board Member--Transportation Corridor System

I represented our city as a member of the Board of Directors of the Transportation Corridor System, the consolidated Joint Powers Authority established to study and if feasible, conduct all necessary actions to merge the Foothill-Eastern and San Joaquin Hills toll roads into one consolidated system. I served on this board, which is currently dormant, from 2004 through 2008. Over the period of several years, various studies were conducted and the action would necessitate a purchase of the existing roads by the new agency, a multi billion dollar bond funding transaction which would be the largest municipal level bond financing transaction in U.S history. Due to the economic downturn, it was determined that the conditions are not favorable for such a transaction at this time and the process is on hold.

Former Committee Member--Orange County Division, League of California Cities--Advocacy Committee

I served for three years on the Advocacy Committee for the Orange County Division of the League of California Cities, from 2003 through 2005. The Advocacy Committee is responsible for the development of all 34 Orange County cities' collective positions in support or opposition to legislation or other actions of County, State or Federal government that will impact positively or negatively on all Orange County cities as a whole, and to communicate those positions to our elected county, state and federal representatives.

Prior to my current and past positions while serving on the City Council, I was active in several community organizations working toward the betterment of our community.

Co-Founder--RSM Cityhood Committee

I co-founded and served as Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Rancho Santa Margarita Cityhood Committee, the grass roots volunteer organization that brought cityhood to RSM. The purpose of the RSM Cityhood Committee, a non-profit public benefit corporation, was to provide the financial and legal mechanism for processing the cityhood proposal and application through the governmental process to ballot.

Former Board Member--RSM Civic Council

I served for 2 years on the Rancho Santa Margarita Civic Council from 1997 through 1999. The Civic Council was a 7 member community body elected annually by the residents of Rancho Santa Margarita, responsible for providing community representation to the County Board of Supervisors for all governmental matters affecting the community prior to cityhood. I was also a member of the RSM Civic Council Planning Advisory Committee for a period of 2 years. This committee was designated by Resolution of the Orange County Board of Supervisors to act as the official community advisory body to the county Planning Commission on all development projects in Rancho Santa Margarita, prior to cityhood. In this capacity, I was active in promoting and facilitating a wide range of community development endeavors including the pre-cityhood planning and land procurement for the Inter-Generational Community Center, and approval and construction of Tijeras Creek Elementary School and the adjacent park and sports fields.

Former Vice-President--SAMLARC Board of Directors

I also served for 5 years on the Board of Directors of SAMLARC, RSM's largest Master Homeowners Association, from 1993 through 1998, 3 years as Vice President. SAMLARC, which owns and manages the majority of the parks and recreational infrastructure within the city has a membership of over 13,000 homeowners. As a member of the Board, I was responsible to the membership for the oversight of all financial, management and operational aspects of the HOA, and its provision of services.

Former Board Member--Santa Margarita Water District Citizen's Advisory Board

I served as a member of the Santa Margarita Water District Citizen's Advisory Board, a consumer advisory group sponsored by the SMWD Board of Directors, for over 7 years. The advisory board provides consumer oriented advice and recommendations on policy matters to the SMWD Board of Directors.