Yucca Valley, Ca.- Opinion-At this Wednesday’s Hi-Desert Water District Board Meeting, Graham presents agenda item #8 to remove “checks & balance” for travel removing the Board’s authority regarding trips not listed as pre-approved. Graham is positioning herself to travel to Sacramento or Washington, D.C. without her requirement to seek prior Board approval to include airfare, hotel stay, meals, taxis and a daily stipend of $125.00

The problem with career politicians like Sarann Graham, they start to believe their own self importance above the citizens that elected them and feel entitled.

There is the saying, Absolute Power- Corrupts Absolutely. Well, in this case, you can apply both of these statements to the President of the Hi-Desert Water District, Sarann Graham.

Is this is how the City of Bell started out in the early days?

As posted earlier, Graham took an unauthorized trip to Sacramento last November and was unhappy with the story pointing that out.  She said, “It only cost about $1,200.00.” Travelin’ HDWD Directors using our Public Funds!

In a letter addressed to me dated March 3, 2012, Jose Angel, Executive Officer for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, responded to HDWD Graham’s depiction “of an unnecessary expenditure of public resources.”

He stated, “First of all, our office reached out to the HDWD so that it would not just send staff representatives the the meeting to weigh in regarding the prohibition, but more importantly, have a Director attending the meeting to provide support for the grant request and addressed the State Board, if needed.”

The truth is…….

1. HDWD General Manager, Ed Muzik, is a Board Member for the CRWQCB is not legally allowed to speak on our behalf. There is a Conflict of Interest.

2. This was NOT an emergency meeting as stated by Graham in trying to explain why she did not seek prior authorization from the other Board Members.

3. The CRWQCB reached out to HDWD to “have a Director attending the meeting.” No where did Mr. Angel state the President must attend.

4. HDWD President Graham DID NOT bring this trip to the Board of Directors to discuss, approve and select a representative.

Graham has ignored repeated requests to reimburse the HDWD ratepayers for this unauthorized trip.

Three months later, President Graham placed an item on the HDWD agenda to attend a 2 Hour Gala in Sacramento in March 2012!! See the story, HDWD Pres Sarann Graham- Party Hardy!

The HDWD Board of Directors did not jump for joy to see that item placed on the agenda and were cool to her suggestion -even objecting to the frivolous trip. Director Munsey suggested she be accompanied by the General Manager and use the trip to meet with lobbyists, etc.  Graham managed to drag CFO Luckino along, attending a seminar and meeting with only one elected official other than staff.

Now Graham places agenda item #8 on HDWD Board Meeting this Wednesday, July 18th, 6 pm TO AMEND THE TRAVEL POLICY so she will not have to seek any Board member pre-approval for travel.

Graham is proposing to change the District Code to the following:

“S. Any activity approved by the Hi-Desert Water District’s Board. [Res. 10-13 Add D.] or Board President or General Manager.”

Next HDWD Board Meeting: July 18, 2012, 6 pm  (760) 365-8333

This is wrong and really stinks!

Wake up ratepayers!

Wake up Yucca Mesa!

STOP THE MADNESS!

Note: HDWD Board Member emails not linking properly.

President: Sarann Graham  SarannG@HDWD.com

Vice President Roger Mayes

Director Dan Munsey

Director Sheldon Hough

Director Bob Stadum

Margo Sturges Author Link