Don Gage, Linda LeZotte, Brian Schmidt and Tony Estremera took
their oath at the Santa Clara Valley Water District’s San Jose
headquarters Friday. On Dec. 14, at their first official board
meeting, they will again be sworn-in for the community.
SAN JOSE – Don Gage, Linda LeZotte, Brian Schmidt and Tony Estremera took their oath at the Santa Clara Valley Water District’s San Jose headquarters Friday. On Dec. 14, at their first official board meeting, they will again be sworn-in for the community.
Don Gage will represent District 1, which includes Gilroy and Morgan Hill and covers most of the east of Santa Clara County. He brings more than a decade of experience as a Santa Clara County supervisor and served as council member and mayor of Gilroy in the 1980s and 1990s. He also brings decades of participation on numerous regional governing bodies including the Valley Transportation Authority and Pajaro River Watershed Flood Prevention Authority.
Linda LeZotte brings more than 20 years of experience as an environmental and land use lawyer, as well as eight years representing west San Jose on the San Jose City Council. She will represent some of those same residents in District 4, as well as residents of Campbell.
Brian Schmidt will represent District 7, which spans much of the western edge of the county, including Palo Alto, Los Altos, Cupertino, Monte Sereno and Los Gatos. He was most recently the county advocate and spokesperson for the Committee for Green Foothills, and has been both chair and vice-chair of the district’s Environmental Advisory Committee. Schmidt brings eight years of experience in civic life in Santa Clara County and his background as an environmental lawyer to the board.
Tony Estremera, an at-large director for 14 years, was also elected to represent District 6, which includes parts of central and east San Jose. Tony, directing attorney for the Legal Aid Society of Santa Clara County, has twice served as Board Chair during his tenure at the district. He has also served the community on the Santa Clara County Housing Task Force, Valley Medical Center Advisory Board, Santa Clara County Personnel Board and as a San Jose/Evergreen Community College District Trustee.
For the first time, the water district board will be composed of seven elected members. Previously, two directors of the seven-member board were appointed and represented at-large districts. In 2009, state legislation was passed to transition to a board of seven elected directors.
