KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
Former State Assemblyman Dante Acosta was sworn in as the newest member of the SCV Water Board of Directors Monday, after two meetings and several hours of heated debate.
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Acosta received the nomination from Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents Santa Clarita as part of the Fifth District, for a place on the board to represent Los Angeles County Waterworks District No. 36, which includes Val Verde and parts of Castaic.
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At Monday’s meeting, a representative from Barger’s office addressed concerns.
“She does respect all of the input of her constituents and recognizes that this is not a partisan issue, nor are water resources a partisan issue,” said Stephanie English, field deputy for Supervisor Barger. “The supervisor believes that Mr. Acosta is a qualified candidate and respectfully submits his nomination.”
The nomination was first discussed at the board’s Dec. 18 meeting, but the decision was ultimately tabled until the following week due to a number of residents who voiced concerns over the nomination.
“It is clear to me that the supervisor is using this appointment as a way to make sure that Mr. Acosta does not have a gap in service for his 2020 campaign against Christy Smith,” said David Barlavi, a member of the Saugus School Board.
Dozens of residents shared their concerns to members of the water board regarding Acosta’s voting record, the fact that he recently filed paperwork to open a committee for the 38th district assembly seat in the 2020 election, and his place of residence, which is not located within the district he would represent.
Read More: Santa Clarita Residents Voice Concerns Over Dante Acosta Nomination To SCV Water Board
“I object to Dante Acosta being appointed to the (SCV Water) board for many reasons, including the facts that he has no science or engineering background, does not live in the Val Verde/Castaic area and voted against water conservation during his time in the state assembly,” said Fem Zalin Jones in a letter to the board.
Senate Bill 634, which formed SCV Water, required the board to vote on Acosta’s appointment before Jan. 15 or he would automatically be appointed to the board, according to officials.
Acosta’s appointment was ultimately approved by the board in an 8-3 vote.
“I am very enthusiastic about joining this board,” Acosta said. “I have children here who drink this water. To say that I don’t have any interest in water or water quality is a suspicious argument, to say the least.”
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This is part of a sad trend towards our water boards being taken over by political burnouts with no water experience. Mr. Acosta is clearly unqualified to sit on the board. Apparently his only nexus to the board is that his kids drink water. Water boards play a critical role and spend millions of ratepayer dollars a year. This is no place for a short timer waiting for his next opportunity. The public needs to closely monitor the actions of this compromised water board and Supervisor Barger needs to be held accountable for this act of patronage during the next election.