press release

January 16, 2005

POCKLINGTON NEW WATER BOARD CHAIRMAN
Newly elected Sweetwater Authority board officers begin two-year term

Bud Pocklington began a two-year term as chairman of Sweetwater Authority's governing board, earlier this month. Pocklington represents District 1 residents of South Bay Irrigation District (SBID) on the board. Mitch Beauchamp, a board member who represents the City of National City, began a two-year appointment as vice chair. Beauchamp, a former City of National City councilmember, has served on the board since 2002.

Pocklington has represented SBID on the Sweetwater Authority board since 1986. In addition to his duties on the Sweetwater Authority and SBID boards, he has served on the San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) board since 1997. SDCWA is the water wholesale agency for the San Diego region. In August 2004, he was appointed to represent SDCWA on the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) board of directors, based in Los Angeles. MWD is the Southern California water wholesale agency, of which SDCWA is a member.

Among other appointments, Pocklington currently serves as chairman of the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO). LAFCO is a county-wide regulatory agency, which provides oversight of local governments.

Pocklington, a native of Illinois, retired in 1987 as a captain and pilot in the U.S. Navy after serving 36 years, including service during the Vietnam War. He and his wife Bess have lived in Chula Vista since 1981.

Sweetwater Authority provides public water service to 177,000 people residing in National City and the South Bay Irrigation District (which includes portions of Chula Vista and most of Bonita).

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