Amador County – The Amador Water Agency voted 4-0 to appoint Rich Farrington as its newest Director, taking the vacated position of Don Cooper in District 3.

The selection committee had a list of questions that were asked of each of the five people who had submitted letters of interest for the position. Board President Gary Thomas said they tried with the questions to remain neutral about issues, especially the Gravity Supply Line, but Thomas said all five candidates specifically stated that they thought the Gravity Supply Line (GSL) was an important issue, and all five said they were in support of the GSL.

The committee, made up of Thomas and Vice President Paul Molinelli Senior recommended Farrington as the best candidate. In public comment, resident Dale Telegan said he opposed Farrington’s appointment because of Farrington’s “open bias” toward the GSL project.

Thomas said: “We did not ask questions about the GSL. But all of the candidates brought it up and all of them said we should move forward with it.” Thomas said he would have preferred someone who was neutral on the subject, but they could not find someone who was neutral.

Thomas said the recommendation was not a tough choice and Farrington was far and above the top candidate in his responses to the interview questions. He read the list of questions, which included how candidates would handle a complaint from a constituent, the top one or two biggest issues, how they saw the agency’s mission statement, Brown Act experience or knowledge, and whether they intended to run for the office in November, as the term ends this year.

After the appointment, Thomas said he actually considered Farrington his last choice entering the process, because he was a vocal supporter of the GSL. But Thomas said he found his experience and knowledge of AWA issues was far and above the other candidates. He was also a former city councilman and mayor.

Molinelli said he was “actually hoping for someone who wasn’t even neutral on the GSL issue and maybe someone who was leaning toward the other side,” whatever that would be, “but nobody from that side applied.”

Registrar of Voters Sheldon Johnson led Farrington in his oath of office, and he took his seat on the board. Farrington later said he was elected to the Ferndale City Council and was appointed mayor of Ferndale for two years. He said he has 22 years’ experience as a civil engineer with the U.S. Forest Service.

Farrington said he had trepidation about applying for the position, but he is retired and sees it as giving back to the community in public service. He said he intends to run for election to the District 3 seat in November, though he doesn’t know his wife’s intention.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.