Manhattan Beach's Alvarez Sworn In to Water District Board
Dec 04, 2020 08:08PM ● By Mb News StaffThe West Basin Municipal Water District today formally swore in Desi Alvarez and Donald L. Dear to four-year terms on the West Basin Board of
Directors. The directors will join
their board colleagues in overseeing the policy and strategic planning
decisions for a public water agency that serves a population of nearly
one million residents.
Manhattan Beach resident Alvarez won his first term to the West
Basin Division III seat, where he will serve as the representative for
the cities of Hermosa Beach, Lomita, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, and
a portion of Torrance. He has 30 years of water
management experience that includes time spent in both the public and
private sectors.
“We are pleased to welcome Director Alvarez to our
board and look forward to working with him to continue delivering on our
mission of providing a safe and reliable supply of high-quality water
to our communities,” said Board President
Gloria D. Gray in a statement. “His passion for water issues really stands out and
will be a great benefit to West Basin in the coming years.”
Alvarez defeated long-time West Basin
Board Member Carol C. Kwan, who served the district for nearly 25 years.
Kwan was both the first woman and the first Asian American to
serve on the board when she was initially
elected to her seat in 1996. At its November meeting, the Board
recognized and thanked Director Kwan for her six terms of service to the district.
Dear won his November re-election campaign
to continue representing Division V, which includes the cities of
Gardena, Hawthorne, Lawndale, and the unincorporated Los Angeles County
area of El Camino Village. He is now the longest
serving member on the board, having represented Division V for the past
20 years. This will be his sixth term on the Board.
“Director Dear has admirably served this district
for two decades now, during which time he has overseen countless
significant programs and initiatives that have greatly benefited our
communities,” said Gray. “We are excited about his re-election and know that he will
continue to be an important leader on this board."
The West Basin West Municipal Water District covers water policy for 17 cities - including Manhattan Beach - and unincorporated areas in Los Angeles County.