According to a press release on Friday from the Mayor's office, Jim Barrett is resigning from his position as Public Utilities director. After March 26, 2010, Barrett is reportedly moving to be the Assistant General Manager of the Coachella Valley Water District. In his place, Alex Ruiz will be serving as interim director. (Mr. Ruiz was Mr. Barrett's assistant director).

UCAN can't take the credit for sending the director of the City's Water Department to the middle of the desert. But, we can be somewhat cheered by it.   Jim Barrett was an obstacle to meaningful reforms at the department.   He clung to the philosophy that if he kept his head low and off the radar screen that he was doing his job.   But during a time when water and sewer services become more important and impactful upon the region and upon consumers, the department needed new leadership.  

Alex Ruiz has demonstrated some openness to changes and might be a more promising head of the department.  But regardless of who's in charge of the City Water Department, UCAN is committed to making sure that the Water Department sticks to the terms of its settlement with UCAN and that it be responsive to its customers.   Be on the lookout for our inserts in your water bills and keep checking back to our website to keep up to date on our Water Project.

Thanks to voiceofsandiego.org for the heads up on this issue (http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/environment/muck/article_9afb6df0-2e2e-11df-9f1a-001cc4c002e0.html?mode=story) and for providing a copy of the release from the Mayor's office (http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/voiceofsandiego.org/content/tncms/assets/editorial/b/b5/60d/bb560d5a-2e2c-11df-b7c0-001cc4c002e0.pdf.pdf?_dc=1268435551).