Springing forward with help of water

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I used to think that elected water boards were just the place where those on the verge of retirement go to make a few extra bucks — well, about $35,000 a year, which is pretty damn close to my salary. Oh yeah, and a place where they can get health perks, travel budgets, car allowances and cell phones.

But it looks like it is also the place where it continues someone’s political career. I just got off the phone with a water official who said that West Basin Municipal Water District Director Donald Dear has his eyes set on Assembly. When I get some more time, I’ll try to come up with a list of other water officials that have used their water seats to springboard to higher office.

Here’s a bit more on Dear:

Board President Donald L. Dear was elected to the West Basin Board of Directors in November 2000 to represent the cities of Gardena, Hawthorne, Lawndale and unincorporated portions of El Camino Village. He is currently serving his second term after being re-elected in November 2004. Director Dear came to the Board with a vast array of experience in public service, serving as the Gardena Mayor for nine consecutive terms before retiring in 2001. He is also a widely respected, award-winning teacher who taught at Stephen White Middle School in Carson for 37 years.