IID names Grubaugh acting GM By DARREN SIMON, Staff Writer
Thursday, July 19, 2007 10:26 PM PDT
For the second time in three years Imperial Irrigation District Assistant General Manager Elston Grubaugh finds himself at the helm of the district on an interim basis.
By a 5-0 vote Thurs-day, the IID board named Grubaugh acting general manager a day after the board voted 4-1 to fire General Man-ager Charles Hosken.
The motion to name Grubaugh acting GM was made by Director James Hanks and was seconded by Director Anthony Sanchez.
IID board President Stella Mendoza said Grubaugh has 17 years experience, which will enable him to take on the acting GM position.
“I’m positive he will move the district forward in a positive manner,” Mendoza said.
Grubaugh will lead the district as it launches a search for a permanent GM just as he did in 2005 when then-General Manager Jesse Silva retired.
“I think the best thing I can do is provide some continuity,” Grubaugh said Thursday.
THE FOCUS
He said the focus has to be on ensuring both power and water services continue without interruption during what could be a GM search lasting several months.
Grubaugh takes the reins of the district during a period of controversy — the fallout from an investigation that revealed a 2005 IID natural gas hedging program saw energy traders violate policies and spend millions of dollars beyond parameters.
Board members have not said Hosken’s firing was the result of that investigation. Hosken began as general manager months after the hedging program was implemented.
But some on the board have raised concern with the level of controls that were in place and the level of information that came forward to the board earlier in Hosken’s less-than-two-year tenure.
Board members have declined to comment on why they voted to fire Hosken. Only Director John Pierre Menvielle voted against the firing.
Grubaugh, who was a subject of the hedging investigation as he was acting general manager during a period when the program was implemented, acknowledges the hedging issue is ongoing.
He said the board will be working directly with human resources to consider disciplinary actions, and Grubaugh said he will not be a part of that process.
THE BOARD’S ACTION
Of the board’s action to fire Hosken, Grubaugh said, “The board has done what the board has done.
“I think Charlie Hosken was a good manager who loved the Valley,” he said.
Grubaugh will lead the district as it faces not only what could be an ongoing storm over the hedging investigation, but also as the district board pushes for new internal controls and looks to rebuild a public trust board members say is missing.
“I think the current board is concerned with our relationship with our customers,” Grubaugh said. “The board wants to see that relationship improve. That’s a direction we all would like to see.”
Along with internal issues, Grubaugh also will lead the district as it considers another controversial matter — the Green Path Southwest project.
Likely the proposed Green Path project, one of the most critical energy agreements the district has considered — involving millions of dollars in costs — will come to a head during his tenure as acting GM.
Grubaugh said recently his focus has been on helping to develop the district’s proposed equitable water distribution program and other special studies.
Now, he said he will have to quickly educate himself “on those critical issues facing the district,” including Green Path.
When Grubaugh last served as acting general manager, he also sought the permanent position, and was a finalist. But prior to the board selecting Hosken in 2005, Grubaugh pulled himself out of contention for the position.
As to whether he again would seek the permanent position, Grubaugh said he has not reached such a decision.
" 'Build public trust' within the IID? Removing the Directors that approved the hedging program and who now favor the Green Path program will go a long way toward getting back the trust. Elect people that will work for best interest of Imperial County residents and not cater to outside interests like Kennedy and his San Diego partners. "
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joselopez wrote on Jul 20, 2007 10:31 AM: