Jean Blois Joins Race for Goleta Water District

Former Goleta Water District and City Council member Jean Blois has officially placed her name on November’s ballot, once again standing for the water board. “I’m old enough to know better,” she writes at her website of taking on water issues amid a momentous drought, “but caring enough to try.” Blois served on the district’s Board of Directors from 1990-2001, when Goleta came out of another calamitous drought, and on City Council twice. She joins former county treasurer Bob Geis on the ballot, as well as incumbents Bill Rosen, Lauren Hanson, and Rick Merriwether. Three seats are open.

Running to address the “finite amount of water” which is being sold “as if it is a limitless commodity,” Blois has heard the anger some Goleta residents feel over the quantity of development the city has undergone. Her website suggests that further refinement of the recycled water produced by Goleta Sanitary District could open the potential, after sufficient research into state and environmental requirements, for re-injection into aquifers. She also proposes to recapture storm water, televise Board of Director meetings, and give annual “state of the water” presentations with the city and county.