Tim Nanson The Nov. 2 race to represent ratepayers on the Triunfo Sanitation District board includes 11 candidates. The Acorn will introduce the contenders in a series of profiles over the next several weeks.

Triunfo board members administer the delivery of potable water in Oak Park and oversee sanitation services for Oak Park, North Ranch, Bell Canyon, Lake Sherwood and western parts of Thousand Oaks.

Due to a change in election rules making all positions elected, without appointees, the Triunfo board of directors will have four seats on the November ballot.

Candidates elected to the board will serve four-year terms.

Candidates are incumbent Janna Orkney; Oak Park Municipal Advisory Councilmember Michael McReynolds; Thousand Oaks residents Henry Press, Timothy Nanson, Ray Tjulander and James Wall; and Oak Park residents Bobby Ray Harris, Phil Janke, Dean Fields, Steven Iceland and Ron Stark.

Mike McReynolds Tim Nanson

Timothy Nanson wants to use his 40 years of experience in public works to help the Triunfo Sanitation District run more effectively.

The 63-year-old Thousand Oaks resident was director of public works in Simi Valley for seven years until he retired in 2008. During his career as a civil engineer, he worked for several other cities, counties and public agencies, including a five-year stint as a staff engineer for Las Virgenes Municipal Water District.

Ronald Stark “It was my experience with Las Virgenes MWD that set the course for the rest of my professional career,” said Nanson, who calls former Las Virgenes manager Will Stokes (1965-1981) a “great mentor.”

Nanson also has a degree in business. As a public works director for several jurisdictions, he supervised about 220 people and managed a $70-million annual budget.

“I have worked with city and county officials, citizens groups as well as federal and state agencies in support of community water and wastewater projects. I have also had responsibility for a broad range of public works divisions, such as roads and building maintenance,” Nanson said.

Nanson grew up in the Los Angeles area. He and his wife, Elsa, served in the Peace Corps in Kenya before settling down in the Conejo Valley in 1975 to raise a family. Nanson worked on water infrastructure projects while in East Africa.

Nanson said he would bring enthusiasm and a problem-solving attitude to the Triunfo board.

“I want to provide sanitation and water services, including sewage treatment, reuse and disposal, sufficient water supply and water quality, to meet the expectations of the community for a professional organization,” he said.

Mike McReynolds

After being injured in the Metrolink train crash that killed 25 people in Chatsworth on Sept. 12, 2008, Mike McReynolds said he rarely takes life for granted.

Still recovering from his injuries, which included a skull fracture; lung puncture; internal bleeding; damage to his heart; broken ribs, collar bones and shoulder blades; and multiple lacerations, McReynolds said he cherishes every moment that he spends with family and friends.

The 52-year-old resident of Oak Park and member of the Oak Park Municipal Advisory Council wants to continue serving his community.

As an engineering manager for the Metropolitan Water District, McReynolds said he wants to use his expertise to help the Triunfo Sanitation District deal with its challenges.

“My work experience has given me knowledge in the areas that Triunfo faces all of the time, such as evaluating alternatives, scrutinizing budgets, working with other agencies, dealing with construction issues, reviewing studies and making recommendations.”

McReynolds said he’s attended recent Triunfo meetings in anticipation of the elections.

He pledged to keep sanitation and water costs as low as possible and advocate for safe working practices at the district.

“If elected I want to renegotiate the recycled water rates the Calleguas Municipal Water District charges us. I also want to complete the study and evaluate changing the disposal method of wet waste at the Las Virgenes Treatment Plant,” he said.

McReynolds and his wife, Kathy, have three children. He volunteered as a youth sports coach in the past and currently serves on the Measure R bond oversight committee for the Oak Park Unified School District.

Ronald Stark

Ronald Stark, 77, served on the Triunfo board of directors for 24 years before losing a reelection bid to challenger Michael Paule in the 2008 election.

“I’m running again because the board is wasting time with indecision and costs are rising,” he said.

Stark and his wife of 55 years, Paulette, moved to Oak Park in 1968. He helped to establish Oak Park Unified School District, the Municipal Advisory Council, the Recreation and Park Advisory Board and the Community Foundation. Stark served on the MAC for 30 years before stepping down in 2006.

The retired test lab supervisor said he can help solve Triunfo’s problems because he understands hydraulics and engineering. He also plans to use his experience as senior administrative aide to former Ventura County Supervisor Frank Schillo to guide board policies.

“I have worked in all areas of Triunfo when I was working for Supervisor Schillo and as a board member,” he said.

Stark supports a recent proposal to transfer sludge processing operations from the Rancho Las Virgenes composting site in Calabasas to Ventura County.

Recently, Triunfo officials considered a study to compare the expense of composting to the cost of hauling the sewage to the Toland landfill in Santa Paula, where it would be dried and used to cover garbage.

“The change will save residents about $9 per month,” Stark said.

If elected, Stark said, he would work to refinance debts on existing Triunfo bonds to lower their interest rates. He also said the district should use local underground water supplies to lessen demand for imported water.

Triunfo is wasting potable water on its parks and other public landscaping because the recyled water that it normally uses tends to run out.