In Los Osos, Storm, Tornatzky, Cesena lead CSD race

With all nine precincts of the Los Osos Community Services District reporting Tuesday, two candidates who have sought to work collaboratively with the district’s management will earn seats, while a third who’s a critic of the district’s administration also will take office.

At about 11:30 p.m., the race among seven candidates for three seats on the Los Osos Community Services District’s Board of Directors held fairly close with all precincts reporting.

Jon-Erik Storm had 20.4 percent of the vote, Louis Tornatzky garnered 18.2 percent and Chuck Cesena had 15.8 percent with two of nine precincts reporting.

Craig Baltimore trailed in third with 13 percent and Peter Bresler garnered 11.8 percent.

Baltimore and Storm, both incumbents, teamed up as political allies against Keith Swanson and Cesena, and vice-versa.

The latter duo played influential roles in getting the Los Osos sewer project moved out of town, including a successful recall campaign that led to the stoppage of a mid-town sewer plant.

The two factions have contrasting leadership styles with Swanson and Cesena taking a more critical approach to the district’s general manager, while Storm and Tornatzky have a more collaborative approach.

Bresler has lobbied for the buyout of Golden State Water Co.

Another candidate, Paul Malykont, pushed for financial prudence and careful management of the district’s water sources.

He also supported what he calls the financially viable acquisition of Golden State.

Malykont was sixth in the voting with 10.9 percent, and Swanson carried 9.5 percent of the balloting.

This story was originally published November 4, 2014 at 5:05 PM with the headline "In Los Osos, Storm, Tornatzky, Cesena lead CSD race."