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This has been an interesting week in the West Basin Water District Division 4 candidates race for two seats on the Board of Directors.
Here is an update on the Culver City Democratic Club:
Last Wednesday, the Democratic Club kicked off with the first Water Board forum of the season. This was to be the first time a local crowd got to hear the detailed positions of the three West Basin Metropolitan Water District Division 4 board candidates since the aborted appointment process, oh, so many months ago.
There was a little awkwardness before the forum. Since I am the Democratic Club's correspondence secretary, I was responsible for chasing after the candidates to make sure they showed up.
A humorous position to be in given that I am also a candidate. A few hours before the forum, I receive a call from Rick Taylor on behalf of Jeff Ebenstein's campaign. He starts to tell me that he has “some confidential information” he wants to share about Jeff.
Whoa. A quick interruption by me, followed by colorful words on the other end, quickly ended what could have been a very interesting conversation.
Acting Club President Sylvia Moore reported to us that Jeff could not attend and would try to send a surrogate.
The crowd was relatively light, almost 30 club members and half that many guests. After regular Club business, the meeting went directly into the Water Board Forum.
Karlo Silbiger, former School Board member, moderated the forum between club member Scott Houston and me.
There were some nuanced differences of opinion: but personality style was more apparent.
Scott seemed to have a calm, polished demeanor. From reports, I performed with depth and passion.
Scott emphasized the sizable number of political endorsements he has received and gave support for the water bond proposition.
I attacked lawns, identified the drought as part of a trend of increasing water scarcity, and proposed a sweeping groundwater replenishment scheme with recycled water involving “indirect potable reuse.”
There were no questions about West Basin's ocean desalination plan.
The Club failed to endorse a candidate, even after two voting attempts. In unofficial results, I received 12 votes, Scott 10 and Jeff 6.
The Democratic Club then went on to a moderated discussion about Prop. 46, but failed to reach consensus on recommendations.
If I didn't win the forum, at least my flyer received a few accolades.
Mr. Murray may be contacted at Stephen@MurrayForWestBasinWater.com
