3-ON-3 RACE COULD ALTER WATER BOARD INCUMBENTS FACING STRONG COMPETITION.

Byline: Susan Abram Staff Writer

CASTAIC - Three challengers face three incumbents for seats on the Castaic Lake Water Agency Board on Tuesday's ballot.

Incumbents Bill Cooper, E.G. ``Jerry'' Gladbach and Bill Pecsi are vying for new terms on the panel, each one saying he would like to continue working on key issues, such as the cleanup of the Whittaker-Bermite site, and improving a reclaimed-water program.

``My philosophy on the board is I'm there to look at the technical information and make good solid decisions based on that information,'' said Cooper, a water treatment section manager for the Metropolitan Water District.

Cooper, 57, is seeking a fourth term on the board.

``Water is my career,'' he said. ``I think through my experience as a water system manager, I'm able to bring that experience to the board. It helps to set the policies using that experience.''

He faces a challenge from former board member Ed Dunn.

``I have felt that that agency needed an overhaul for a very long time,'' Dunn said.

Dunn, a retired aerospace engineer, was ousted by voters in 2002 from a seat he held for four years on the board. Dunn is well known for objecting to board actions, speaking on behalf of environmental advocates as well as the taxpayers. He said he would like the agency to update its water treatment facilities as a cost-cutting measure, and also cut the number of board members.

``I would like to see them run the agency efficiently and give the residents a break,'' Dunn said.

Gladbach, who last year began a two-year term as president of the Association of California Water Agencies, had served as the water association's vice president since January 2002. He has been active in California water issues for 42 years.

He was first elected to the Castaic water board in 1985 and was board president from 1987 to 1991. A civil engineer specializing in water resources, and a former manager with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Gladbach has been an active state water association participant since 1973.

``The reason I'm running is to continue the pursuit of items and projects that the agency has already embarked on, particularly expanding the groundwater banking program, cleaning up the Whittaker-Bermite site, and expanding the reclaimed water program,'' Gladbach said. ``Now it's only 1,700 acre-feet; we hope to be able to produce 17,000 acre-feet of reclaimed water to be used for parks and golf courses.''

David Lutness is running against Gladbach.

Lutness, a computer consultant with degrees in physics and oceanography, said he is running to change what he sees as a pro-development panel.

``I am concerned about the influence that the development community has on running the agency,'' he said. ``My concern with the Castaic Lake Water Agency is much more concerned with interests of the developers than our residences and small businesses. I think we need someone who can look at what the valley's needs are.''

Pecsi, a certified water treatment operator and general manager of the Foothill Municipal Water District, is seeking his second term.

He said he wants to ``continue with the visionary leadership, to ensure water reliability for the valley.''

Paula Olivaras, a former member of the Saugus Union School District board, did not return calls Thursday.

The CLWA board is made up of 11 directors, including one appointed from each of the four water retailers. Six others are elected from geographic locations and one is elected at-large. The CLWA is the only wholesaler of water from the state in the Santa Clarita Valley. The CLWA also functions as a water retailer, after purchasing the Santa Clarita Water Co. in 2000. Earlier this year, a Superior Court judge ruled that the CLWA is improperly operating the water company.

Susan Abram, [phone]

susan.abram(at)dailynews.com