Incumbents Re-Elected to Rancho California Water District Board

Incumbents ruled the roost—for the most part—in Tuesday’s election for the Rancho California Water District Board of Directors.

There were five seats available on the seven-person board of directors, with four of those for four-year terms and one for a two-year term.

Voters were also able to cast their ballots in person at the Registrar’s Office in Riverside through 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Of 28, 507 votes cast in the Rancho California Water District election, incumbent Stephen J. Corona received the most votes at 16.62 percent or 4,737. Among his fellow incumbents, Ben R. Drake garnered 14.53 percent (4,143); William E. Plummer, 14.47 percent (4,124); and John E. Hoagland, 14.36 percent or 4,074 votes.

This foiled an attempt by union employees to oust the incumbents, The Press-Enterprise reported Tuesday.

Among the challengers, Larry Libeu received 2,736 or 9.6 percent of votes; James R. Fredette, 2,595 or 9.10 percent; Kory R. Roberts, 1,760 or 6.17 percent; Everton B. Cope III 1,585 or 5.56 percent; Franco Vessia 1,511 or 5.30 percent; and John T. Reddick, 1,222 or 4.29 percent.

The election also included two candidates for a short-term, two-year seat on the board. On that front, challenger Roger C. Ziemer defeated incumbent Roland Skumawitz. Ziemer received 54.78 percent of 6,603 votes cast, while Skumawitz was favored by 45.22 percent of voters.

Rancho California Water District serves the City of Temecula as well as portions of Murrieta that include Bear Creek and Copper Canyon, a portion of The Colony, businesses in the Target Shopping Center on California Oaks Road and nearby apartment complexes, RCWD spokeswoman Meggan Valencia previously told Patch.

Unincorporated areas such as La Cresta, De Luz, and Temecula Wine Country also receive their water from Rancho California Water District, according to Valencia.

The board has its work cut out for it in the coming weeks.

At Tuesday’s Temecula City Council meeting, a woman representing 1,500 residents of Temeku Hills, spoke regarding the community’s concerns about the billing cycle used by the water district.

On behalf of those residents, Carol Malin questioned why the billing cycles run 28 days some months, while others are for 33 or 35 days, resulting in customers being charged at a higher rate for the extra days, she said.

Malin said she has contacted the California Public Utilities Commission, but was told the water district is a privately-governed entity. She asked City Council who provided oversight.

Temecula Mayor Mike Naggar encouraged City Manager Aaron Adams to arrange a meeting with Rancho California Water District to address the community’s concerns.

Tuesday’s election results have been certified and submitted to the Riverside County Board of Supervisors, according to a news release. By law, a request for a recount must be filed with the Registrar of Voters office within five days after election results are certified.

“In this instance, the deadline to request a recount is Tuesday (Sept. 3) because of the Labor Day holiday,” stated Registrar Kari Verjil. “The cost of a recount is paid for by the requestor.”