RIVERSIDE, CA – On Wednesday, Dec. 7, Western Municipal Water District (Western Water) celebrated the re-election of four Board members.
Re-elected to the Division 1 Director’s seat is long-time Riverside resident Mike Gardner. Director Gardner joined Western Water’s Board in 2020. He has more than two decades of experience in environmental planning coupled with 12 years of service on the Riverside City Council, bringing to Western Water a combined 35 years of utility management, oversight, and policy experience.
Constituents in Division 2 re-elected Gracie Torres. Director Torres joined Western Water’s Board of Directors in December 2018 and currently serves as Vice President. She is a longtime Riverside resident, working professionally as a water quality compliance planner with Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, and is also an adjunct chemistry professor at Cal State University San Bernardino.
Longtime Board Member Brenda Dennstedt will serve another four years representing Division 3. Director Dennstedt joined Western Water’s Board of Directors in January 2007 and currently serves as Board President. She is actively engaged in her many roles throughout the region, serving on several water-related Executive Ad Hoc and Advisory committees.
Incumbent Laura Roughton will continue as the Division 4 representative. Director Roughton joined Western Water’s Board of Directors in 2021. She has an extensive background in public service, working knowledge of the water industry, and municipal oversight and policy experience. She is a long-time resident of the represented area, living within the Division 4 boundaries for more than 30 years.
Directors are elected to four-year terms by the registered voters in five geographic divisions across Western’s entire wholesale service area. Divisions are apportioned nearly equally by population (+/- 4%). The five terms are staggered to ensure continuity. While they do not have to be a Western Water retail water customer, Directors must reside within their division.
“We are fortunate that the residents within the four divisions elected strong individuals with industry knowledge to help guide Western Water into 2023 and beyond,” said Western Water’s General Manager Craig Miller. “These elections position Western Water’s Board to hit the ground running, working on behalf of the customers to continue the delivery of safe and reliable water and wastewater services.”
Western Water’s Board of Directors meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 9:30 a.m. Customers can tune into Board Meetings via livestream. Agendas are posted online in advance of each meeting, and recordings are made available following each meeting. For access to agendas, livestream, and recordings, visit wmwd.com/BoardMeeting.
To learn more about Western Water and the Board of Directors, visit wmwd.com. Stay updated on Western Water’s latest projects and happenings by following the district on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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Western Municipal Water District is one of the largest public agencies in Riverside County, providing water and wastewater (sewer) services to nearly a million people, both retail and wholesale customers who live, work, and play within 527-square miles in one of California’s most populous regions. Learn more: wmwd.com.