COSTA MESA : Water District to Fill Seat by Appointment

The Mesa Consolidated Water District is taking applications for the position vacated this month by board President Tom Nelson.

The successful candidate will complete Nelson’s term, which ends in November, 1996. The deadline to submit applications is Sept. 15, and interviews will be conducted publicly at the water board’s Sept. 21 meeting.

The board chose to appoint a successor to Nelson, acting President Hank Panian said at Thursday night’s trustees meeting, rather than hold an election, which could cost as much as $25,000.

Under law, the board has 60 days to fill the post, or the Orange County Board of Supervisors would choose a successor.

The announcement that the position will be filled by appointment drew protests from some residents, who also said that the board acted prematurely by issuing a press release dated Aug. 17 stating its intentions.

Heather Somers and Nancy Palme, leaders of the city’s Coalition for Clean Water, a group of 40 residents, said they will consider filing a complaint.

“The position will be filled based on conversations among themselves,” Palme said of the board’s remaining four trustees. “What they should have done is wait until Aug. 24 and take action in an open public meeting.”

Board member Trudy Ohlig responded: “Even if we are ‘picking our little person,’ the public will have a chance to give input in the selection process.”