Candidate for
Board Member; Santa Margarita Water District

CHUCK GIBSON RUNNING FOR WATER DISTRICT BOARD

"Water, water everywhere, but not under Ladera Ranch"
by Jim May

Our wonderful community has quite a few enviable assets, but an intrinsic water source is not one of them. If ever we take something for granted, it is the liquid from our faucets when bathing, cooking, or landscaping the greenery we've cultivated in this desert where we live. Shockingly, sixty-five percent of our water flows into landscaping uses, and it has become a way of life and somewhat of a necessity in south Orange County. Even more surprising is the fragility of the water sources on which we depend. We share our imported water resources with neighbors from Mission Viejo to the north through our water district reaching into parts of San Clemente to the south. It has been managed through the fine efforts and administration of the Santa Margarita Water District headquartered in Los Flores. The SMWD has attracted impressive professionals to plan and manage the facilities over the past two decades including its board members, notably Ladera's own Bill Lawson, SMWD's current President of the Board of Directors. Bill was recruited six years ago to finish a vacant term, and has served the past four years as a respected executive. He has decided not to renew his position on the board due to other interests and demands. We are at a critical juncture in the development of an assured, reliable water source for our community, and the stewardship of this resource is not to be treated lightly. If you don't want to lay awake at night, try not to think about the lack of an embedded local water source, and that you depend on the travel of every single drop of water to weave its way for hundreds of miles from the Colorado River and San Joaquin-Sacramento Delta through the northern aqueducts, over five geodesic fault lines to the Municipal Water Authority to be sold and transferred to our little corner of the world. Try not to think about the multiple financial, political, environmental, engineering, and practical pressures influencing the progress of that life-giving drop. Now try not to think about any miscues in the management of this all-important lifeline. Well, our community does have one important asset that, in fact, will help to offset these concerns; and, it's one we've come to depend on for many other aspects of our life here in Ladera Ranch. Chuck Gibson has intersected all of our lives in one way for the past nine years of his residency -- many of us know of his commitments and accomplishments; all of us who do are grateful. He has filed to run for one of three open SMWD Director positions in the upcoming Nov. 6th election. He has studied the board's enviable achievements and feels that it dovetails well with his style of attention to such matters. This includes a fresh perspective to help improve productivity, and to assure protection of the rate payers by way of the methodologies he has perfected during his forty year career as a professional in public and private policy and administration. "I'm in this to win," Gibson advised. "Everything I've been involved with in my career has made this a perfect fit for this position. I'm sure I can contribute to the assurances our rate payers and water district constituents are looking for by introducing resources, an open-minded approach, and a bridge of understanding with our community. I want to emphasize planning to prevent future water shortages and massive rate hikes. My emphasis will be on efficiencies through conservation and local supply development and to implement these things in an overall strategic plan. Most important is SMWD's latest project to bring a dedicated second water source on line called the Cadiz Water Project. This effort involves harvesting an underground water aquifer from two hundred miles away in the desert dry lakes area of Cadiz Valley. It's a very different undertaking, and is going to demand our best people to manage it correctly. I believe I can offer what will be needed." Gibson's campaign position explains it all, "Gibson guarding your water and wallet". Chuck has been recognized for his achievements as a businessman, public servant, and management consultant. Notably to the benefit of Ladera Ranch, he served in the environmental impact group, Ladera Hope, is the current president of the Atherton HOA, helped found the Ladera Ranch Civic Council, and is involved with other community and philanthropic organizations. He was cited with two outstanding community recognitions: Ladera Ranch Man of the Year, and the Golden Eagle Award. His Candidate Statement and further background information can be found on his Facebook page, Chuck Gibson Election 2012.