Boggs replaces Wilsman
Three applicants were interviewed during the Feb. 10 meeting of the Ramona Municipal Water District (RMWD) to fill the Division 2 seat vacated by Doug Wilsman, who resigned his seat in December due to health reasons.
As outlined in previous memos to the board, there are no legally required procedures under which the board must screen and select a candidate for the vacancy. It was recommended that the RMWD conduct interviews allowing the applicants to make a presentation to the board and answer questions during an open public forum.
Notices of the vacancy seeking applicants for the Division 2 vacancy were published in the Sentinel and on the district’s Web site. At last Tuesday’s meeting, the applicants who responded — George Boggs, Teresa Rose and Bob Hatch — were questioned by RMWD Board President Jim Robinson as to their qualifications, knowledge of district responsibilities, as well as their strengths and past accomplishments to the community.
After two tie votes, Boggs was appointed.
Rose, who has lived in Ramona for 20 years and is an independent Realtor, said she is most proud of her service as past president of a homeowners association in San Diego Country Estates.
“We are now in the black and have a reserve account which has never been done before,” stated Rose, who continues to serve on the condominium board.
The applicant stated she had not attended previous RMWD meetings, but chose to study and research the problems facing the community.
“Part of my experience is working with people,” she said. “My experience serving on boards has been to listen and be taught. Then I can give my input as to what I think would be good for the town of Ramona.”
Hatch has a 13-year background in business and as an avocado grower in the community.
“I have served on boards for several years and bring that experience with me,” Hatch said. “I also bring a knowledge of business, sales, budgeting ability and human resource experience.”
Hatch stated that most of his community work has taken place down the hill, but he believes that the current RMWD Board needs to have an experienced local grower as a member who could help create positive policy and direction for the staff.
Boggs is a 34-year resident of the community with a background as a financial officer, in business management, with the local Boy Scouts and as a 4-H planner.
“I have been associated with this board for 30 years,” Boggs said. “Most of my activities have been through the Ramona Community Planning Group where I have been a past chairman and vice-chair, as well as one of the authors of our community plan.”
Boggs believes that his biggest accomplishment to the community was soliciting and receiving a grant from the federal government to start the Ramona Junior Fair.
Each applicant was given the opportunity to ask questions of the board.
“Since I became interested in serving on this board, I have been doing a lot of reading and research,” said Rose. “Are you a board who is willing to educate someone like myself, and help them learn what is going on in Ramona?”
“We are not in a classroom,” responded Director Red Hager. “I would like to see someone seated who is already familiar about the district and the potential decisions facing it.”
Director Darrell Beck told the applicants what they potentially could face as a director.
“When you make a decision here, you may make 51 percent of the people happy,” said Beck. “That means there will be 49 percent who are going to be mad at you. I just want you to realize this and ask yourself if you are prepared to accept that responsibility.”
A lengthy process of nominations began with Hager nominating Boggs. This nomination was seconded by Beck. Robinson and Director Bryan Wadlington voted no.
Robinson then nominated Hatch, and Wadlington seconded the nomination. Hager and Beck voted against Hatch.
Wadlington nominated Rose, but there was no second.
“Well, what do we do now,” asked Beck. “We have three outstanding people here tonight and any one of them would be good folks here.”
Hager asked if it was necessary that the appointment of a Division 2 director be made that evening or if a vote could be postponed until the board members had time to discuss the merits of each applicant.
Sophie Akins, legal counsel for the RMWD, stated that unless an appointment was made that evening, a special election would need to be called.
“The special election would be held in November and the cost to the district would be $70,000,” said Akins.
An alternative to the special election would be a mail ballot.
“This ballot would allow an August election with a cost of $40,000 to the district,” stated Akins.
“So if we make this decision tonight, we save the district a lot of money,” said Hager.
The potential savings of thousands of dollars broke the deadlock. George Boggs was re-nominated with votes from Beck, Hager, and Wadlington. Robinson cast the lone dissenting vote.
Boggs was immediately sworn in and took his seat as RMWD Division 2 director.
“I appreciate the confidence the board has shown here,” said Boggs. “I would also like to invite not only the two other candidates here, but everyone else in the community to offer suggestions and recommendations on how we can make this water district a better operation.”