Five candidates are on the ballot for three open seats on the Joshua Basin Water District; incumbents Bob Johnson and Mickey Luckman aim to retain their seats, while former board member Richard Fountain, and newcomers Buck Buckley and Geary Hund each hopes to take a seat at the table. Current director Mike Reynolds is not seeking another term. Reporter Mike Lipsitz spoke with each candidate about the business of providing clean water to 4,700 accounts spread over 96 square miles…
A nine-year resident of Joshua Tree, Douglas “Buck” Buckley says he will draw on his experiences serving on the Joshua Basin Water District’s Citizen Advisory Committee and at Transition Joshua Tree where he helped create the Water and Power Group. Buckley is a licensed plumbing, electrical and solar power contractor but describes his current focus as being in the “sustainability field.” And asked what would be his priority if elected, Buckley said, “Fixing our damn pipes because they’re full of rust and the pipes are asbestos and a lot of bad pipe and its well over 50 years old in places.”
Candidate Richard Fountain has been in the water business in Joshua Tree for more than 30 years. Fountain is a familiar face at board meetings often demonstrating detailed knowledge of the district’s subterranean infrastructure. And in thinking about what his focus might be if elected, Fountain said, “The district has some major challenges … declining water tables and getting recharge water in here, the drought, and of course the other news – it’s all about the revenues; it’s all about the money. I want to see things done as economically as possible and do as much as we can in house… I want to see less study, more action.” Fountain was elected to the water board three times in the past but in 2003 he resigned as president after pleading guilty to attempted solicitation of a minor.
Geary Hund, a biological scientist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has lived in the district going on four years. A seasoned grant writer and maker, plus experience writing and advocating for legislation at both the federal and state level, Hund offers a different set of skills to the water district. Asked why he wants to serve on the Joshua Basin Water District, Hund said, “This is a crucial time for our community when it comes to water and I really want to help ensure that we have a safe, affordable, sustainable water supply and I look at that as both for now and in the future…that’s my underlying motive for joining the board.”
Incumbent and 22-year resident Robert “Bob” Johnson has served on the water board since 2013. A retired U.S. Army Colonel, Johnson served over 30 years in a variety of positions. A decorated combat veteran credited with maintaining the highest ethical standards of leadership, his successes have carried over into the private sector as well. He was Clinical Director of the Substance Abuse and Counseling Center aboard the Marine Base here. After 9/11, he was redeployed, ultimately returning to Twentynine Palms to serve as Community Liaison Manager with oversight of many environmental and land use programs. He says his experience plus other strong points make him ideally qualified for the board. “I think what I bring to the board is a great sense of cohesiveness and bringing sides together and looking at the issues, I consider that my strong point. Good financial, managerial, personnel background and bringing some cohesiveness to an organization.”
A 47-year resident of Joshua Tree, Mickey Luckman has lived here for almost as long as Joshua Basin Water District has existed. Luckman has served on the water board for eight years and hopes to continue for what will be her third term. She has been active in the community including a stint as chair of the Municipal Advisory Council and a member of the water district’s Citizen’s Advisory Committee. Asked about what challenges lay ahead, Luckman says, “I want our community-owned water district to continue to be successful because there are all kinds of plans afoot at the state level looking at special districts like water districts and I think we need to be prepared and keep taking care of ourselves.” Luckman cited as the proudest accomplishments during her tenure as the hiring of General Manager Curt Sauer, the recharge pond, demonstration garden and renovation of the district’s main meeting room.
WE MEET THE CANDIDATES FOR JOSHUA BASIN WATER DISTRICT
