Four Tucsonans are teaming up to run as a bloc for the Central Arizona Water Conservation District board, which manages the Central Arizona Project.
Sharon B. Megdal, Warren Tenney and Stephen Lenihan hope to fill spots that will be available because three of Pima County’s four representatives are not running for re-election. Carol Zimmerman, who this fall will finish her first six-year term, is running for re-election.
The four are running together to show the public that, if elected, they will bring a united front to the board, which includes four members from Pima County, 10 from Maricopa County and one from Pinal County, Zimmerman said Wednesday.
Members are elected at large, meaning that voters in each county can vote for all seats. In a news release Wednesday, they explained why they are running:
• Sharon B. Megdal, director of the University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center: “I am running for the CAWCD board because I believe my knowledge of water policy and management and experience on public boards can contribute to the deliberations of this important board.”
• Warren Tenney, assistant general manager of the Metropolitan Domestic Water Improvement District: “I have had the opportunity to work in the water business for 15 years, which has shown me the importance of the CAWCD board to Pima County and to the state of Arizona.”
• Steve Lenihan, land-use lawyer: “I will use my advocacy and financial experience in ensuring that southern Arizona keeps its fair share of water and that (the) Central Arizona Project, our largest sustainable source of water, is managed in the interests of all Arizonans.”
• Carol Zimmerman, a political consultant and six-year veteran of the board: “This might be the most important time for Pima County to have strong and experienced representation on the CASP board. In the next few years, decisions critical to Tucson will be made about additional water supplies, replenishment and reliability.”
The Central Arizona Water Conservation District board manages the Central Arizona Project, which is responsible for bringing Colorado River water into Arizona through the 336-mile Central Arizona Project canal.