A few weeks back, I wrote about the Art Alliance of Idyllwild board in this column, expressing concern about transparency issues several members brought up during the board’s annual membership meeting.
In response to the members, AAI is offering public sessions after each board meeting. (AAI is not a public entity; its board meetings are not required to be open to the public.)
Besides this half-hour of openness to its membership, AAI is embracing the public by also inviting non-members to this meeting. And that shows good faith to a community AAI has reached out to in recent years, especially nonprofits.
The symbiotic relationships AAI fosters with our local charitable organizations boosts the entire community. I’m so pleased to know this new board continues in that spirit.
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In this issue, we begin coverage of the state water bond that passed in November. The drought was a hot topic in Sacramento when I was there two weeks ago for a conference.
The Republican and Democratic leaders of both houses spoke, emphasizing this third year of a drought. I met with Chris Norden, Sen. Jeff Stone’s legislative director, in Stone’s office in the Capitol building.
Norden said the drought brings no easy solutions. We may build reservoirs and dams all over the state but without water — without rain — they serve little purpose.
However, the hope is that rain will come, of course, and maybe over the next 10 years or longer the infrastructures built will give Californians long-term, sustainable solutions for future water shortages.
The Department of Water Resources has a huge task ahead but it will be well worth it.
