GHCSD candidate forum held in Golden Hills

A candidate forum was held on Oct. 6 at the Golden Hills Community Service District featuring the four candidates running for the two open seats on the CSD Board. The meeting was sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Kern County and was moderated by Lois Watson who read the questions, giving each candidate three minutes to answer. John Buckley and Marilyn White are incumbents who have both served on the board for two prior terms. If elected, Scott Wyatt and Connor Harris would be new to the Board.

John Buckley is the current president of the Golden Hills CSD Board. He has lived in Golden Hills since 1987 and raised his children there. He said he would like to expand what the Board can do and add services. He would like to sell the existing CSD building to the county and build a new CSD at the Nature Park. He believes his understanding of budgeting makes him an asset to the Board. Buckley said it is the CSD's job to be sure Golden Hills has the proper water rights. He would like to conduct a water rate study and buy more water rites.

Connor Harris has lived in Golden Hills all his life. He went to Golden Hills Elementary School and is a full time college student. He thinks young leadership would be beneficial to the board. His vision for the board involves an updated environmental and wildlife policy. He feels he could be a voice for the people. He would also like to see a more comprehensive wildfire plan. Harris would like to limit growth in Golden Hills. He feels a new reservoir should be built realizing that the fight would have to be taken to Sacramento.

Marilyn White has been on the GHCSD Board for eight years and is their current vice president. She has lived in Tehachapi since 1975 and raised her kids there. One of her major concerns is that the Board remain fiscally responsible and maintain their capital improvement plan. She said the GHCSD follows the state directive for water use but has a large amount of banked water. The GHCSD staff attends TCCWD meetings and has a system to receive and deliver water.

Scott Wyatt is retired from the California Highway Patrol and has lived in Golden Hills for 20 years. He believes that his judgement and the decision making abilities learned with CHP would be a benefit to the board and to the community. Wyatt feels that future Golden Hills development should be limited and the CSD should explore ways to acquire more water rights.