By Robin GOLDSWORTHY and Mary O’KEEFE

Kenneth Putman has been appointed to the Crescenta Valley Water District board of directors it was announced today, Friday.  Putnam was one of six applications being considered by the board.
CVWD board president Kathy Ross said various backgrounds were found in the pool of candidates, but it was Putnam’s experience that ultimately made him the board’s choice.
Putman is a registered civil engineer, has many years of experience in water and wastewater industries and has served on the board of directors of the West Basin and the Central Basin Water Associations, according to a release by CVWD.
“He has a lot of work experience with various water districts and we’re hoping with that experience he can bring ideas to the district,” Ross said. She added that Putnam is familiar with the matter of water conservation since it’s a “whole California issue.”
“He has a good understanding of how to maintain a [water] system and the importance of a good staff to do that as we go into these tight fiscal times,” Ross said, “and yet he talked about budgets and that is another area that is crucial right now, with all the expenses that the (CVWD) is going through.”
Ross noted that Putnam seems ready to help the board undertake another of its biggest challenges: Glendale residents that CVWD services but who are unable to vote in water board decisions.
“From talking to him he seems to understand that situation and what it might entail to reach a solution,” she said.
Ross said that the board is confident in its decision. “I think we all feel very good about the knowledge that he brings.”
Putman will fill the seat that was recently vacated by Richard Atwater who resigned in January after a complaint by a community member to the Los Angeles County district attorney.  In his letter of resignation Atwater stated that, “in early December an anonymous person in La Crescenta complained to the L.A. County district attorney regarding my holding office on the board of directors of both the Crescenta Valley Water District and Foothill Municipal Water District as incompatibility of office.”
Incumbent Atwater had recently won re-election to the seat. From Jan. 29 to Feb. 26 residents of La Crescenta who were interested in filling the vacant board seat were asked to send in their letter of interest.  By Feb. 26, six candidates were vying for the position. On Thursday, the remaining members of the water board met in a public meeting to interview the applicants.

  cvwd, Putman