April 1, 2008— The recently formed Herlong Public Utilities District now has its first two board members, after the Lassen County Board of Supervisors appointed them at its regular meeting on Tuesday, March 18. The newly elected members are Felix Flores and Juanita Anderson, both of Herlong. Flores served as president of Herlong Utilities, Inc., a private utility in Herlong that was the predecessor to the public utility. He served on the HUI board from 2005 until the formation of the public utility.

Anderson also served as an HUI board member for the past two years.

With two of the three necessary members for the utility’s governing board in place, the new members now have the ability to vote for the third member, according to the procedure set forth by the board.

A memo written by County Counsel R. Craig Settlemire highlighted several options the board could have taken: The option it took was to appoint two directors at its meeting. Flores and Anderson now have 60 days from March 18 to appoint a third board member or call an election to fill the vacancy.

If Flores and Anderson don’t fill the position in the allotted 60 days, then the matter comes back before the board to either appoint or elect a new member.

HUI officially became a public utility at the December meeting of the Lassen County Local Agency Formation Commission. The county officially ratified the transformation of HUI into HPUD at its Feb. 14 meeting.

Anderson, currently a retired resident of Herlong, has not only had experience as a board member on HUI, but serves on the Communities United for Children and Families board. She also volunteers for the organization, and helps maintain the local thrift store in Herlong.

In her application for the position, Anderson explained her concern for the community’s future.

“I have walked this community getting signatures for HUI to become a public utilities district,” Anderson said. “I am interested in helping this community, elderly, and children, all of which need good drinking water and a viable community.”

Along with Anderson, Flores has been heavily involved in the transformation of HUI. Aside from serving as HUI president, Flores has been an active Herlong Community member, from coaching softball to serving on multiple committees.

“There is a great need in the Herlong area for good quality drinking water,” Flores said in his application. “Everyone deserves to have good water, I would like to be part of bringing that to our community.”