CALABASAS : Water District Fires General Manager

The Las Virgenes Municipal Water District board has terminated its contract with the agency’s general manager in a disagreement over management style.

The board gave notice to Charles McClain after a closed-door meeting last week and plans to hire someone with a leadership approach that more closely resembles the hands-on style of McClain’s predecessor, Edward E. McCombs, said board President Harold V. (Hal) Helsley.

“We’re looking for a little stronger leadership,” Helsley said. “Mr. McCombs was constantly out there presenting material and making people think. Mr. McClain is a little more laissez-faire. It’s not that he was lax, but we’re looking for someone who will push the district’s policies more.”

The agency, which serves about 20,000 homes between Topanga Canyon and the Ventura County line, prides itself on an aggressive water-conservation agenda that includes public awareness programs and state-of-the-art reclamation facilities.

“They prefer a person who is more externally oriented, and I don’t function well in that type of a context,” McClain said. “Our parting was amicable.”

Helsley said differences between McClain and other managers also helped spur the board’s decision.

“There may have been some minor personality conflicts,” Helsley said. “We just want to see more of a total team working together. The shoes of the previous manager were tremendous, and it’s hard to get someone to fill them.”

McClain was brought on board for the $100,000-a-year job two years ago, after McCombs retired. His contract expires April 3, Helsley said.

The board will probably appoint James E. Colbaugh, currently the director of planning and engineering at the district, as the new general manager, Helsley said.