SANTA CLARITA / ANTELOPE VALLEY : LOCAL ELECTIONS / WATER BOARDS : Quality, Availability Concern Many of 27 Candidates

The quality of water and its availability are the most common concerns of the 27 candidates seeking election to five water boards on Tuesday.

Crescenta Valley Water District

Voters in the Crescenta Valley County Water District will select three of six candidates vying to serve on the district’s five-member board of directors. The district sets water and sewer rates for La Crescenta, Montrose and portions of La Canada Flintridge.

Two veteran members are resigning, leaving only Robert E. Martin, 63, an engineer with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, first elected to the board in 1977--as the sole incumbent. Stepping down are Robert Williams, 89, who has served since the board was formed in 1950, and Rae Berry, elected in 1976.

Other candidates include Robert F. Saloan, 74, retired secretary-auditor of the district; Robert E. Yanez, 36, legal adviser to an insurance company and member of the Crescenta Valley Town Council; Margaret A. Klug, 34, a civil litigation attorney; Jerry E. Lane, 66, a retired high school auto mechanics teacher, and Brent Anderson, 42, a property management and development businessman.

The new board will be charged with hiring a district manager to replace Robert K. Argenio, 56, who is retiring Dec. 30 after almost 24 years with the district.

Green Valley County Water District

Just one incumbent is among the seven candidates seeking the three available seats on the water board, which serves the tiny Green Valley community in the west Antelope Valley.

Incumbent James E. Billesbach, 55, hopes to see the district through the construction of two new wells. A captain with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Billesbach has served as board president the past two years.

Candidate John (Jack) Ameluxen, 69, formerly served on the board, including as president in 1987-88. The retired teacher and author of the book “Discover Green Valley” believes that the district must upgrade its water delivery system.

Christopher August, 40, believes that an objective study of the community’s water resources must be completed so that the board can make informed decisions. The graphic communications researcher said a “reasoned consensus” must be reached on water policy issues among board and community members.

Dennis Dickinson, 46, a construction supervisor, decided to run for the board after only being able to get “incomplete, confusing” information from the district. He believes that the district must look for alternative water sources.

Eileen Hoenshell said that even though she has not been a water board member since 1991, she has remained interested in the district’s operation. She believes that water conservation remains a key issue for the district.

Gordon Jacks, 65, a retired Los Angeles Department of Water and Power employee, is concerned about “the threat of no-growth people being able to dictate water policy without opposition.” He believes that the district should focus on supplying quality water at reasonable rates.

Jerry Strealy, 52, a teacher, is concerned about the quantity and quality of water as well as the quality of service.

Littlerock Creek Irrigation District

Seven candidates, including three incumbents, are vying for three available seats on the east Antelope Valley water board.

Veterinarian Larry J. Connelly, 46, believes that even though the drought is officially over, “safe and affordable water will continue to become more scarce.” The district, he said, must safeguard its supply.

Barbara Hashemian, 48, believes that the five-member board includes too many members who focus only on agricultural interests. “Water is a big issue in our area,” the businesswoman said, “and diligent vigilance is necessary at all times.”

Roman Noriega, 50, a flight test mechanic, said that he decided to run for the board to help the community and the water district, and that he is most concerned about water quality.

Frances Young, 63, a homemaker, served on the board 30 years ago. In 1963, she was appointed treasurer, a position she held for seven years. Young said her priorities are to protect and retain the district’s water rights.

Incumbent Charles Yingst, 61, is seeking reelection to a second four-year term. As the owner of a fruit orchard and a large water user, Yingst would like to see the district secure new water districts.

Other candidates are Brian Okerlund, an appointed incumbent, and incumbent Art Stout.

Newhall Water District

For the first time in 10 years, the Newhall Water District is having an election.

This year, three candidates have surfaced, charging the five-member board with complacency in running the district, which supplies water to 16,000 people, the majority of whom live in Santa Clarita.

Lynne Plambeck, William Hicks and Ed Dunn accuse the incumbents of rubber-stamping staff recommendations and failing to actively advocate saving water resources.

Incumbents Elijah Agajanian, June Herrington and Joe Whiteside responded by accusing the challengers of wanting to turn the office into a sounding board for environmental issues and not those related to supplying water.

Hill Water District

One challenger is facing three incumbents for the three available seats on this board in the west Antelope Valley.

First-time candidate Johnie (Wayne) Argo, 47, said his experience as a supervising electrician with the Los Angeles County Sanitation District gives him the background to serve on the board. He believes that the district needs to pursue state and federal funds to finance capital projects.

Incumbent Olan Flick, 73, is hoping to retain his seat so the district will continue to operate “without a bunch of changes.” Flick has served on the water board since 1958 and is proud of the district’s low rates.

Michael F. Risolo Jr., 75, has served on the water board continuously since 1969. His priorities are to “keep the water rates down and the water palatable.”

Incumbent Don Raven declined to answer questions about his campaign. “I don’t need any campaign messages,” he said.

Three water board races in the Antelope Valley will not appear on the ballot since the number of candidates seeking seats were the same as the number of available seats:

Palmdale Water District

Two people sought the two available seats. Incumbent Nolan Negaard, a retired teacher, will retain his Division 5 seat. Ronald Cunningham, deputy treasurer for the city of Palmdale, will replace outgoing member Walt Dahlitz, who did not seek reelection to his Division 2 seat.

Palm Ranch Irrigation District

Incumbents Edward Lisbony and Dorrance Ulvin were the only ones to file for the two available four-year seats. Appointed incumbent Jess Baker, a construction electrician, was the only one to file for an unexpired two-year term. All three retain their seats.

West Valley County Water District

Incumbents Nat Karchem and Douglas Loveridge were the only ones seeking the two available seats so will continue as board members.

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This story was reported by Times staff writers Martha Willman, Jonathan Gaw and correspondent Sharon Moeser.