NEWHALL DISTRICT CALMS THE WATERS.

Byline: Eugene Tong Staff Writer

NEWHALL - Newhall County Water District directors unanimously agreed to allow board member-elect B.J. Atkins to take a trip to a conference in San Diego, ending a political impasse between factions that forced the board to convene a $500 special meeting, officials said Thursday.

Atkins will attend the California Association of Water Agencies conference in San Diego from Nov. 29 to Dec. 2 at the district's expense in place of director Randall Pfiester, who is too busy to attend, NCWD General Manager Steve Cole said.

``It wouldn't be a net loss for the district,'' Cole said. The four-day policy conference costs the district between $1,200 and $1,500 per director.

Atkins, who won't take office until Dec. 15, in the Nov. 8 election ousted Joan Dunn, who with director Lynne Plambeck, was a reliable environmentalist vote on the five-member panel. Business-backed Atkins' victory dwindles the minority to one.

Board members held a special meeting Wednesday after Dunn and Plambeck blocked a vote to discuss Atkins' attendance at last week's regular meeting. Board members are paid $100 for each meeting they attend.

During the 40-minute session, Dore, an Atkins ally, moved to allow him to go in Dunn's place, arguing that her term will end just two weeks after the conference. But Pfiester defused the issue when he proposed that Atkins go in his place, Cole said.

The water district has plans to create a travel policy for directors-elect, though there's no urgency, Cole said.

``The issue is not going to come up again for a few years,'' he said.

Eugene Tong, [phone]

eugene.tong(at)dailynews.com