The very first time I met Amy Chen, I was out walking my dogs. As we talked, I learned about her remarkable 500-mile walk along the Camino Francés across Spain. As an accomplished athlete, she knows exactly what it takes to commit to a massive goal and see it through. The same unwavering work ethic and stamina that carried her through those 500 miles are exactly what she will bring to the water board when advocating for our community.
Bringing this tireless drive to local government is vital right now. Many residents may not realize they live within Division 4 of the Foothill Municipal Water District — which encompasses the northern and western areas of La Cañada Flintridge, as well as parts of Montrose. This specific water board race carries immense stakes for our neighborhood. Rising utility costs, property tax pressures, aging infrastructure, and the ongoing lessons of wildfire mitigation mean that our unique foothill community requires proactive leadership from Day 1.
As a former elected school board member, I learned that governance isn’t a specialty; it’s the job. Every elected board member is responsible for setting policy, approving budgets, and holding the agency accountable. Amy brings that understanding, along with deep knowledge of the water issues the board will decide.
That is exactly why I am casting my vote for Amy. She is not running to learn on the job; she has 40 years of specialized knowledge as a professional water engineer and the personal drive needed to protect our local water supply and keep costs manageable. Her readiness ensures she can immediately dive into board decisions regarding sustainable funding and infrastructure upgrades.
Three of the five board seats are on the ballot this year, and the board may look entirely different after this election. I encourage you to prioritize both proven expertise and tireless determination. Please get that ballot marked and drop it in a ballot box or make plans to vote early.
Tad Butler
La Cañada Flintridge