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bulletin archives Bonilla Family Foundation Honors Recipients at Holiday Luncheon More . . . Mark Watton Appointed to CWA Board At the January 8 meeting, the Otay Water District appointed former board member Mark Watton to the San Diego County Water Authority Board More . . . Commentary Where do we go from here? That is the question many San Diego County residents are wondering now that the San Diego/Imperial Valley Water Transfer Agreement has failed. More . . . Bonilla Family Foundation Honors Recipients at Holiday Luncheon More than 60 people attended a luncheon hosted by the Bonilla Family Foundation December 21 to honor the 2002 scholarship recipients and their parents. The Foundation also awarded grants to agencies involved in programs dedicated to promoting educational opportunities and supportive services to South Bay students. All six scholarship recipients were honor students and graduates of Sweetwater Union High School District schools. Chula Vista High graduate Sara Laccone now attends Cal State Northridge. Sweetwater High grad Brandon Donat, who won a San Diego Union Tribune Athlete award in his senior year, attends San Diego State along with Castle Park grad Christhian Del Valle. Montgomery High grad Julissa Preciado attends The University of San Diego. Southwest High grad Carlyn Cristostomo, listed in the Who's Who of American High School Students is studying at UCLA and Mar Vista grad Dayana Remerez attends UC Berkeley. Each received $2,000. Grants totaling $34,000 were given to Border View YMCA, Boys and Girls Club of National City, YMCA of South Bay, South Bay Community Services, the Martin Bayless Charitable Foundation, Able-Disabled Advocacy and YMCA Youth and Family Services. "The grant will help us continue our work with Teen Leadership Development," said Tina Williams, executive director the YMCA of South Bay. "Our goal is to reach one out every five teens in the communities we serve." Representing Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante, Tom De Augustino presented a resolution to Foundation president Bonilla, praising the efforts of the fledgling organization. "The Foundation understands how important it is to support community organiza-tions that help young people realize their goals," said De Augustino. Formed in 2001, the Foundation will continue to offer scholarships to Sweetwater High School District students along with financial aid to charitable groups in the South Bay that meet its guidelines. "Education is the key to success. I want students in the South Bay to enjoy some of the same opportunities that have been available to me," said Bonilla. Otay Directors Appoint Mark Watton to the CWA Board At the January 8 meeting, the Otay Water District Board of Directors passed a resolution on a 5-0 vote to appoint former board member Mark Watton to the San Diego County Water Authority Board. Watton, who for 18 years was an Otay Water Board Director, is considered an expert on water issues. He represented the District on the CWA Board from 1985 through 2001. As chairman, in 1995, he initiated the San Diego/Imperial Valley water transfer agreement. He served on the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Board for 8 years and was appointed to the Colorado River Board California by former Governor Pete Wilson. Watton joins Director Paul Lewis as the representatives to the CWA Board. "Water availability is critical to the future the South Bay," said Board President, Jose Lopez. "We are fortunate to have Watton rep-resent our interests at the County Water Board." Commentary Where do we go from here? That is the question many San Diego County residents are wondering now that the San Diego/Imperial Valley Water Transfer Agreement has failed. Here is a brief history. For many years, California used more than its share of water from the Colorado River. As the populations of Arizona and Nevada grew, they pressed the Federal Government to make California live within its entitlement. In 1995, the San Diego County Water Authority and the Imperial Irrigation District developed a rough outline on a water transfer that would move conserved agricultural water to San Diego. Money paid for the water would have been reinvested in the community, keeping the farm economy vibrant. By 1998, the transfer agreement, cutting edge in the world of water politics, had been reached, but part of the agreement was dependent on the Los Angeles-based Metropolitan Water District and Choachella Water District signing on. With the destruction of wildlife habitat in the Western states, the Salton Sea, a wildlife migration habitat, has become an issue. Created by a seasonal overflow of the Colorado River and sustained by agricultural run-off, the Salton Sea is a pivotal issue in the negotiations. More than ever, renewed talks among all parties and the governor can end years of acrimony and litigation. Our representatives to the San Diego County Water Authority are doing everything to make this happen. To protect our water supply and the economy of our region, we must see the transfer through to a successful resolution. Sincerely, Jaime Bonilla, Director Otay Water District Division 2