The Santa Clara Valley Water District swore-in four recently
elected members to its board of directors this morning. New board
members Don Gage, Linda LeZotte, Brian Schmidt, and returning
director Tony Estremera participated in a ceremonial swearing-in at
the first meeting of the newly constituted board.
SAN JOSE – The Santa Clara Valley Water District swore-in four recently elected members to its board of directors this morning. New board members Don Gage, Linda LeZotte, Brian Schmidt, and returning director Tony Estremera participated in a ceremonial swearing-in at the first meeting of the newly constituted board.
For the first time, the water district board is composed of seven elected members. Previously, two of the seven directors were appointed and represented at-large districts. In 2009, state legislation was passed to transition to a board of seven elected directors, each representing smaller geographic regions.
Don Gage will represent District 1, which includes Gilroy, Morgan Hill, the San Jose neighborhoods of Evergreen and Silver Creek, and the rural, eastern part of Santa Clara County. He brings 12 years of experience as a Santa Clara County supervisor and served as council member and mayor of Gilroy in the 1980s and 1990s.
“I’m looking forward to the job. I’m excited to come on board and represent District 1. The water district has done a very good job with its capital and flood protection projects, and I look forward to seeing these services continue to improve,” Gage said.
Linda J. LeZotte, an environmental and land use lawyer, brings to the board nearly 30 years of legal experience, as well as eight years representing west San Jose on the San Jose City Council. LeZotte will now represent residents of Campbell, San Jose’s Cambrian and Blossom Hill neighborhoods and parts of the Santa Teresa and Almaden Valley neighborhoods, in District 4.
In addition to the three new members, Tony Estremera, who has served as an at-large director for 14 years, was elected to represent District 6, which includes parts of central and east San Jose. Estremera, directing attorney for the Legal Aid Society of Santa Clara County, has twice served as the board chairperson during his tenure at the district. He has also served the community on the Santa Clara County Housing Task Force, Santa Clara County Personnel Board, and as a San Jose/Evergreen Community College District Trustee.
Brian Schmidt will represent the 7th District, which spans much of the western edge of the county, including Palo Alto, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Mountain View, Cupertino, Monte Sereno and Los Gatos. Schmidt, who has served as both chair and vice-chair of the district’s Environmental Advisory Committee, brings eight years of experience in civic life in Santa Clara County and his background as an environmental lawyer to the board.
