ROBERT (BOB) GAUGHAN
OCCUPATION: Retired Xerox Technician; Cattle Rancher
OCCUPATIONAL BACKGROUND: Managed Portland territory for Xerox; Taught Tech Classes.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND: Fort Plain High School; Devry University, Associate Degree, Electronics.
PRIOR GOVERNMENTAL EXPERIENCE : Commissioner and Chairman, Corbett Water District
I'm a new resident of Corbett having only lived here 26 years.
I appreciate the great tasting water that we receive from the Corbett Water District. To keep it that way, I strongly supported upgrades to our Treatment Plant including a large NEW reservoir and NEW ‘slow sand' filter. Because we were frugal, we accomplished these two large projects within the original budget for one.
Most people do not know that the District did NOT meet water quality standards for years. Your Commissioners took decisive action, and today we have some of the best water anywhere.
I support keeping water rates as low as possible. In the years before 2003, rates were escalating 25% per year and voters wisely rejected a huge bond measure We are still paying a PERS Surcharge to cover a large debt left by previous employees. But that will be paid in full by October. Rates are still lower than six years ago.
I'm very proud of what we have accomplished at the Corbett Water District in six short years. The numbers are impressive: 8000 feet of pipe installed by Staff in 2008 and water loss down from 60% to 15%. Our Manager stopped perpetual overflows at one reservoir, a feat none of his predecessors achieved.
We are beginning to install electronic water meters that promise many advantages. We are also planning more automation of the Treatment Plant. Both will allow Staff to spend more time on our #1 priority: replacing old District lines before they fail.
The Corbett Water District is a real team effort of dedicated professionals working for their community. Those of us on the Board are compensated only by the satisfaction we get from serving our community.
I would appreciate your vote.
(This information furnished by Robert (Bob) Gaughan)
The above information has not been verified for accuracy by Multnomah County.