Bandur appointed to water board

The Valley of the Moon Water District board has named veteran water and public-works man Al Bandur to fill the seat vacated by Sanford Smith, who resigned earlier this year because of illness. Bandur, with 27 years of water-related service – both above and below ground – will begin his term Dec. 2.
A former public works administrator for the City of Sonoma and member of the Sonoma Valley Groundwater Management Program, Bandur said his background and experience includes “being in the trenches underground to the trenches at the administrative level.” He acknowledged this role will be different. “Not running personnel, but paying attention to what’s going on and providing my opinion and input.” He brings what he describes as a balanced outlook to the VOM Water District board. “I’m not going in with any agenda,” he said “I’m a cautious person and want to pay attention accordingly.”
Back in the Plaza chicken crisis of 1999, Bandur, then public works superintendent, was a voice of reason in a heated city council meeting in which protesters – some in chicken suits – objected to the city’s annual thinning of the Plaza flock. Bandur explained that banishing the birds was not the objective so much as reasonable management. “You can only have so many people in this room before we ask you to leave,” he was quoted as saying. “It’s the same concept.”
Bandur said he is happy to be on the board and to be able to give his opinion, and that he’s joining a very well-run district. “Obviously, my opinion isn’t the only valid opinion out there. I will be just one of five.”
Other board members include, Mark Bramfitt, chair, Edward Kenny, Ronald Prushko and Russell Townsend.