Jochem leaves Upper water district

Looks like Tim Jochem's time managing Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District is over.

Jochem has tendered his resignation and his last day on the job was Wednesday, according to reporter Rebecca Kimitch.

Of course his departure is not without controversy -- some say Jochem, 53, was ousted from his post.

"Tim was planning to retire in two years. I find the board's decision during these tough economic times egregious ... I can't imagine our constituents being happy about that, especially when he was doing his job," board member Tony Fellow said in a written statement.

Apparently the district is now going to be stuck with paying some $400,000 on the remainder of Jochem's contract as well as the salary for an interim.

Jochem told Kimitch he had "absolutely no" problem with his dismissal.

Board President Al Contreras said the decision to remove Jochem was because they want his replacement to work "cradle to grave" on a water recycling project the district is starting.

Contreras' predecessor, Leon Garcia, wasn't buying the explanation.

"If that was the case ... under prudent planning and governance, they would have found someone to replace him before they fired him," Garcia said.

So what does Jochem -- who by the way, said he has no hard feelings about the removal -- plan to do now?

He's thinking about going to Indonesia on a post-earthquake aid mission, and he also wants to join the Peace Corps and serve in South America.

"There are thousands of kids in South America who are dying from an inadequate water supply, from water-borne diseases that we eradicated years ago," Jochem said.