Previous reports that the era in San Bernardino County governance in which the Granlund Family’s involvement in local politics was drawing to an end turns out to have been premature and wrong.
While Lonnie Granlund, the ex-wife of former Assemblyman Brett Granlund has left as a board member with the Yucaipa Valley Water District, the remaining members of the board, after interviewing Brett Granlund, Sheldon Jones, Matt LeVesque and Torin Setlich as her potential replacements on May 2, appointed Brett Granlund to the board.
Based upon the statements, résumés and responses each of the applicants provided during the interview, the board settled upon Brett Granlund.
In his statement, Brett Granlund made open allusion to his familial connection with the governance of the district.
“I intend to try to do as good a job in the position as director as my predecessors, directors Lonni Granlund and Bruce Granlund, providing support of policies that ensure a modern district supplying reliable and safe water and sewer service to our ratepayers.”Lonnie Granlund had been a director with the district since December 2008. Her presence on the board extended for more than a decade the political reach of the Granlund family in the Redlands-Mentone-Yucaipa neck of the San Bernardino County woods.
Brett Granlund served as a Yucaipa councilman before being elected to the California Assembly in 1994. Brett Granlund remained as an assemblyman until 2000.
Thereafter, he was a principle in Platinum Advisors, a government relations and lobbying firm in Sacramento that had as its clients many movers and shakers in San Bernardino County. In addition, Platinum Advisors represented San Bernardino County’s governmental structure in Sacramento.
The late Bruce Granlund, Brett Granlund’s brother, was also a member of the board of directors of the Yucaipa Valley Water District. Bruce Granlund and Lonnie Granlund served on the board simultaneously. In fact, from December 2012 until December 2014 and from December 2014 until December 2016, first Bruce Granlund and then Lonnie Granlund were consecutive presidents of the Yucaipa Valley Water District Board of Directors.
The Community of Yucaipa, as much or more than virtually every other city or political sub-entity in San Bernardino County, is prone to familial political dynasties.
After Chris Mann resigned his position as a member of the Yucaipa Valley Water District Board of Directors earlier this year to accept the post of Yucaipa city manager, the board chose to replace him with Greg Bogh, who in December left the Yucaipa City Council after serving on that body for three terms. Welcoming him onto the board was his brother, Board Member Jay Bogh. In addition, Greg Bogh’s wife, Rosilicie, served on the Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School Board and is now a California Assemblywoman. Greg Bogh’s cousin, Russ, was formerly in the California Assembly. Another cousin, Michael Bogh, has been bitten by the political bug, having vied unsuccessfully for the Highland City Council.
Lonnie Granlund submitted a letter of resignation to her colleagues on the board of directors in April, advising them that they should move ahead with finding a replacement for her at the end of April, when her resignation became effective.
“After much thought and much consideration, I have decided to step down from my position on the board after over 14 years of service to the community,” she wrote.
The Yucaipa Valley Water District Board of Directors is now maxed out with appointed members.
Governing boards of public entities in California must be composed of a majority of elected officeholders. As the gap on the Yucaipa Valley Water District Board of Directors that was created with Lonnie Granlund’s departure has been filled with the appointment of her ex-husband, at this point two of the board’s three members have been appointed.
If there is to be a departure of any of the three other elected members of the board – Nyles O’Harra, Jay Bogh or Joyce McIntire – that board member could not be replaced by appointment, and a special election, potentially costing the district in excess of $100,000, would have to be held.
Both Brett and Lonni Granlund live in the water district’s Division 4.