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Sonora, CA — Crediting him with remaining calm in a sea of water woes, Tuolumne Supervisors thanked Tuolumne Utilities District (T.U.D.) General Manager Tom Scesa for his service to the community upon his retirement this month.

At this week’s Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors meeting, Scesa was recognized for his 19 years at T.U.D., most of those as district engineer, and the last 2 serving as general manager during the state’s lingering drought. County Administrator Craig Pedro praised Scesa for his expertise in the water system, his calm demeanor, and ability to explain issues and options. Pedro says, “His [Scesa’s] relationships with the technical staff of the state and federal government, that engendered trust right off the bat, that not only helped T.U.D., but also that helped all the other special districts. People don’t see that stuff, but that’s what gets it done.”

District 5 Supervisor Karl Rodefer credited Scesa with taking over T.U.D. at a “very tumultuous time” when a majority of the Board of Directors had been newly elected and voted to end its contract with then General Manager Pete Kampa, in October 2013. Rodefer commented, “He navigated that very well and then, on top of that, was the State of Emergency. Water is a very emotional issue, and Tom Scesa’s demeanor served to de-emotionalize that issue at a very critical time in this county, and I want to thank you [Scesa] very much.”

As reported in May, the board hired Dave Andres as an interim general manager with a tentative start date of June 15. The board hopes to have the position filled permanently by sometime in the fall, according to Scesa.

Click the highlight items for other stories regarding the Board of Supervisors meeting this week. (Juvenile detention center ground breaking, County well and fire concerns)