|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The East Bay Municipal Utility District is seeking to fill a now-vacant position on their board of directors representing a majority of the San Ramon Valley following the resignation of longtime director John Coleman.
Coleman’s resignation from representing Ward 2 officially went into effect March 8, after he first announced his plans at a January board meeting. EBMUD officials announced the vacancy on March 1, with applications for his successor open through Friday (March 22) at 4:30 p.m.
Coleman announced that he was leaving the seat at EBMUD’s Jan. 23 board meeting in order to take a position with the Calaveras County Water District (CCWD) as manager of natural resources. He also announced his departure as CEO of the Bay Planning Coalition in order to take the CCWD role.
“This is a bittersweet moment,” Coleman said on Jan. 23. “Since my days as an Eagle Scout, I’ve dedicated myself to serving my community. As I look back at my 33-year career at EBMUD, I’m enormously proud of what we have accomplished together, shaping vital water policy and forging increased collaboration among water agencies in this great state. I’m honored to have had the opportunity to serve, and I look forward to the work ahead.”
Coleman was first sworn in as a member of the EBMUD board in 1991 after being elected in 1990, where he was reelected six times then appointed to an additional term in 2018. He was elected to his current term in 2022.
Ward 2 consists of Alamo, Danville, Blackhawk, Diablo, and portions of San Ramon and Pleasant Hill, as well as all of Lafayette and Walnut Creek. Coleman, currently a Lafayette resident, is moving with his family into their alternate home in Arnold in order to serve in his new position in Calaveras County.
“I have lived within the EBMUD service area for all but two years of my life, when I was studying at Oregon State,” Coleman said in his resignation statement. “I have lived in Ward 2 all but two more years when I was finishing my degree at UC Berkeley. So, this is a BIG change on many levels. It will also be the first time since college that I have only had ONE job—I am excited to focus exclusively on my work at CCWD.”
While Coleman’s term is set to expire in 2026, the applicant selected in the current process of filling his vacancy will be appointed through the end of 2024, with a permanent successor for the remainder of Coleman’s term being decided in November’s general election.
The EBMUD board is set to hold interviews for candidates at their regular meeting on April 9 at 4 p.m., as well as a special meeting at 4 p.m. on either April 16 or April 17 if needed. They are aiming to fill the vacancy no later than April 23.
“He has taught me so much about EBMUD,” EBMUD Board President Lesa McIntosh said on Jan. 23. “His questions alone consistently delved into such rich subject matter. This is a loss for the District and a gain for Calaveras County Water District. I am truly going to miss him, but I’m sure EBMUD will continue to work with him in his new role.”
