IID candidates make their pitches at candidate forum
CALEXICO — Two of the three men running for Imperial Irrigation District Division 4 seat provided residents a little insight into themselves and their thoughts on water policy at Tuesday’s Imperial Coalition of Labor, Agricultural and Business Candidate Forum.
The two presented their campaign promises to about 25 people in attendance in hopes of winning the March 3 primary election.
The candidates running for the IID Division board are incumbent Erik Ortega, Joong Kim and Javier Gonzalez. Gonzalez did not attend Tuesday’s forum.
In Ortega’s opening comments he said he is seeking another term because he wants to make a difference on behalf of the community and county that is often overlooked by others.
He pointed to his past accomplishments, including serving as the IID board president in 2019 as reasons why he wants to seek another four years on the board.
Assembly Bill 854, sponsored by Assemblyman Chad Mayes, which would have resulted in an additional six Riverside County residents to the five-member IID board is something Ortega fought against. The bill ultimately did not make it through the Legislature.
He also talked about the IID prevailing in the contempt of court case local farmer Mike Abatti filed against the district. Abatti alleged the board violated the 2017 court order by agreeing to provide up to 500 acre-feet additional water to Heber Geothermal.
In his opening Ortega also spoke against water transfers.
“As one board member I will oppose the transfers to the coast because I am not going to experiment with the public’s health by providing urban water agencies a (water supply),” he said.
Kim promised to be the public’s watchdog pertaining to IID matters if he is elected to the board, saying he has the experience in government matters by serving on the Calexico School Board and City Council.
“IID is spending too much of our money on attorneys, consultants and (other things),” Kim said.
Kim also said the IID needs to keep its water in the Valley, provide local construction jobs, senior discounts and lower electrical and water rates.
“Together we stand strong,” he said.
Responding to the question on how they feel about the possibility of having a reduction of water in the future, Kim said the IID is partially at fault.
“We have to conserve water to create more jobs,” Kim said, while telling the state and federal government how much water is needed for the additional jobs.
“We need to use it wisely for our needs,” he said.
Ortega said this were to occur he would ask his fellow board members to support litigation.
“If there is a reduction, we will go to court,” he said. “They can’t take our water rights.”
Both candidates said they would oppose rate increases.
“My position is to not raise rates, and that has not changed,” Ortega said.
Kim took it a step further, saying he wants to lower rates.
Kim said he does not understand why the IID can’t see lowering rates benefits everyone.
“How can we lower the rate and promote it to the betterment of the community?” Kim asked.
They were also asked about the Drought Contingency Plan and the board’s decision to not join because it did not include anything for the Salton Sea.
“We have to change our attitude before asking the federal government to help us,” Kim said. Ortega had a different view. “It’s a public health concern,” he said. “The state needs to do more and be held accountable. I was one of the votes for that action, and I stand by it.”
The candidates were asked about the Project Labor Agreement the IID board approved a few months ago to the dismay of many in the agricultural community.
Ortega told those in attendance that the PLA would result in local hiring and career pathways, while getting projects done on time and on budget.
“I believe in a great community for everyone, and I want to help build it,” he said. “We are investing our tax dollars, so they stay in the county that pay a livable wage. We need all the jobs we can get.”
Kim responded by saying the public are all citizens of the Valley, saying the jobs should be given to local residents.
“Why do we need to bring people from the outside?” Kim asked. “Unions are supposed to be positive for the county.”
Ortega and Kim were asked if being an IID director would it be their only job if elected.
Ortega said he would have two full-time jobs, as he has a full-time business in Calexico. Kim owns his own business, but said his kids are on their own, so he only has to support himself and his wife.
In Ortega’s closing, he said he did not run four years ago thinking the IID was going to be in litigation, but that happened because he is on the side of the Valley and people living here.
Kim delivered his closing comments in Spanish only, explaining later that he wanted to communicate with the people who make up the majority of his voter base in their own language.