Crosse Tops Field of 14 Highly Qualified Candidates for MMWD Division III Seat

At a special meeting on Saturday, December 8 the Marin Municipal Water District Board of Directors unanimously voted to appoint Liza Crosse, administrative aide to Marin County Supervisor Steve Kinsey, to fill a vacancy on the MMWD board. As a director, Crosse will represent the 37,000 residents in MMWD’s Division III, which encompasses communities in the Ross Valley as well as the San Geronimo Valley. The five-member Board of Directors sets the policies for the activities and affairs of MMWD.

MMWD originally received 14 applications to fill the board vacancy resulting from the recent resignation of David Behar. Behar moved outside the boundaries of Division III so could no longer serve. Crosse was selected from among six finalists who were invited for interviews on Saturday. In her application for the post, Crosse explained her inspiration, stating, "Public service is my vocation and service on this board will enable me to work and contribute in my greatest area of interest: water resources." Crosse will fill the last two years of a four-year term and already plans to run for re-election when the current term expires in 2014.

"It was really an extraordinary field of applicants, and we are fortunate to have so many talented people interested in water and the watershed," said MMWD Board President Cynthia Koehler. "We are looking at a variety of ways to retain the engagement of a number of the candidates. Liza in particular has very deep community connections and a long history of volunteer work with MMWD on everything from rates to watershed protection. She is not only very involved in the life and concerns of the San Geronimo Valley, but she is deeply engaged water and environmental issues touching Marin more broadly as well."

As a Woodacre resident, Crosse has been a longtime MMWD customer and has been active in many community groups with a connection to MMWD. She is currently a member of MMWD's Water Rate Advisory Committee, a citizens’ advisory committee; she is the chair of the Lagunitas Creek Technical Advisory Committee and is a member of the Tomales Bay Watershed Council. MMWD is a member of both of those groups. Crosse is also active in many San Geronimo Valley organizations.

Crosse will be formally sworn in as a director at the December 19 MMWD board meeting.