CCWD veteran to retire after 26 years of service

By Craig Koscho

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Posted: Thursday, April 19, 2007 10:16 AM CDT

Fred Burnett at the scene of CCWD's latest project, an elevated water tank in Rancho Calaveras. Enterprise photo by Craig Koscho

General managers and board members have come and gone, but for the past 26 years Fred Burnett has been one of the constants that kept things running at the Calaveras County Water District.

Burnett, the regulatory affairs manager and former superintendent of operations and maintenance, is retiring this year, taking a lot of knowledge and history with him along with a great deal of satisfaction.

"I'm very proud of CCWD," Burnett said. "I know you don't hear too much of that on the outside. We get beat up pretty badly."

Burnett noted that, through all of its ups and downs, the district has continued delivering high-quality water and operating several sewer facilities for its customers.

Burnett had worked at a chemical company in Redwood City for 16 years when he and his wife, Janet, came up here to a cabin with the youth group of one of their sons.

After being raised, educated and working in the Bay Area, the Burnetts found Calaveras County a pleasant change.

They bought a second home in the county in 1980 and made it their permanent home the next year.

Going to work for CCWD was a change from working for a private firm, but Burnett said it allowed him to contribute something to the community.

The district has experienced more than its share of turmoil, with grand jury investigations and controversial departures of general managers and board members.

How does an administrative employee remain focused during those troubles?

"I think it was a little easier for those of us involved in the field activities because that stuff just had to happen regardless of what was taking place here in the office," Burnett said.

Even though he worked in the main office, Burnett said he could focus on the nuts and bolts of the job: keeping the water running and the sewer plants operational.

The Burnetts have known their share of personal tribulations as well.

Their son Kevin died July 27, 2005, at the age of 28, most likely the indirect result of an auto accident two years earlier with actor Robert Conrad.

Conrad's 1995 Jaguar crossed the center line of Hwy. 4, colliding with Kevin's 1990 Subaru on March 31, 2003.

The "Wild Wild West" actor eventually pleaded no contest to a felony DUI charge and was sentenced to six months of house arrest and five years probation.

Both men suffered severe injuries.

Three of the bones in Kevin's leg shattered, requiring the insertion of metal rods and nails.

The cause of death was perforated gastric ulcers, and the Burnetts say those were the result of the stress of the criminal trial and a civil suit, as well as the constant pain their son suffered.

"I don't know how we get through things like that," Burnett said, speaking of the accident. "We've had our faith. I'm sure that helped a lot."

Their son's death was another matter. Burnett described it as devastating.

"For me ... I shut down a little bit," Burnett said, adding the first year afterward was particularly hard.

"It's just day by day," he said.

The Burnett's have found some comfort in CCWD's memorial to their son.

A golf tournament held every year to raise money for the district's sewer service lifeline program has been renamed in Kevin's honor.

Burnett thanked directors Jeff Davidson, Bertha Underhill and Leroy Fonceca, former director, for doing that.

Kevin's death was a factor in Burnett's decision to retire, although he added that he had always envisioned doing so when he turned 65.

In looking back at his years with CCWD, Burnett said he's proud of the rate structure developed by the staff, which is currently getting public review.

The new monthly and connection charges will help the district maintain its infrastructure and replace aging systems, Burnett said.

Part of that movement to pay more attention to the repair work has been the hiring of specialized maintenance people, such as Bill Perley, director of utilities.

"We didn't have that before," Burnett said, adding that David Andres, the new general manager, is another reason the district is moving forward.

Andres observed that replacing Burnett won't be easy.

"He knows the whole operation," Andres said.

To help keep some of that experience and knowledge from disappearing completely, Andres said they hope to bring someone in three or four months before Burnett's departure to learn the ropes.

"It's going to take time," Andres said.

Assistant General Manager Larry Diamond, a 17-year veteran at the district, said CCWD will miss Burnett's history and expertise.

"He's been a real go-to guy," Diamond said.

As for their personal future, the Burnetts will most likely become RVers.

"We've been talking about it for years," Burnett said.

And they're keen on tracing his ancestry back to Sweden and his wife's Scottish origins.

As he prepares to take his leave, Burnett said some people may have been critical of CCWD over the years, but the staff has always been a dedicated one, and the changes in the past couple of years have been particularly positive.

"We're at a pretty good level," Burnett said.

Contact Craig Koscho at ckoscho@calaverasenterprise.com.

Comment (2 comment(s))

Julio Guerra wrote on Apr 20, 2007 1:13 PM:

" Professionally speaking, I can attest to the fact that Fred's quality dedication to advancement of the water industry and his willingness to help outside agencies and colleagues made his impact felt throughout the state, as well as CCWD. Thanks for all you've done and Godspeed to a true, accomplished professional! "

Bruce Macler wrote on Apr 23, 2007 12:19 PM:

" Fred has been an asset to CCWD and to the drinking water community. He will be missed and hard to replace. My best wishes for a happy retirement. Thanks to you, Fred!! "

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