Some served for years, others only months, but each person who chaired Metropolitan’s board of directors helped usher the district through its 75 years with leadership, service and a vision for Southern California’s water future. In the following pages meet each living chair, and read what they have to say about their respective legacies.


  
 


Earle Blais relaxes in his Burbank home.

 


E. Thornton Ibbetson
Chairman Jan. 1, 1983 to Dec. 31, 1986

“After the Peripheral Canal defeat (Prop. 9 in 1982) Metropolitan had to become more creative to find the water necessary. It forced us to do it in a timely manner and not put it off and put it off and put it off. That’s why we built Diamond Valley Lake. We found the property to build it–that was the legacy of my term and I’m very proud of what we accomplished.”

 

 

 

 

Earle Blais
Chairman Jan. 1, 1979 to Dec. 31, 1982

“I was at Metropolitan for 24 years and there was so much that happened. Probably the most valuable thing we did was getting the Peripheral Canal authorized so we could get fresh water further north. It was a matter of law until people in the north got the referendum and were able to defeat it and that ended that. But I think it will have to happen some day.”

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



E. Thornton Ibbetson's office holds a wall full of awards.
Lois Krieger near her home in Prescott, Arizona.


Lois Krieger
Chairwoman July 11, 1989 to Dec. 31, 1992

“We wrote the mission statement during my tenure on the board; we kept at it until we had it done and it was a good job. When we did the mission statement we also set the goals and objectives for the (board) committees. We made real efforts to admit we had work to do for the future and it says a lot of what I think my legacy is.

“When I was president of the Association of California Water Agencies, I got representatives from all parts of the state together and we wrote “Water for all Californians.” There is so much disagreement on water issues I thought that if we had an agreement the ACWA could put out, it would help us work together. I was pleased with that and very grateful to the people who helped put it together and we tried hard to keep it from being something that’s just kept on the shelf. It’s as good today as when we wrote it.

“The importance of Metropolitan is its position as the regional authority. Water is a subject of world-wide importance and should be approached that way. I wish every human being involved in Met could remember that what they do is terribly important for the future and it’s not about what you can get for your own agency. I don’t think when you’re in the Metropolitan Water District you can be, or should be, a small thinker. The opportunity to be on that board is a great one; I came out of it feeling I had my Ph.D. in water. It was a grand experience, a grand challenge, and it still is.”

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