Fellow Water Professionals Praise Arant on Retirement

Gary Arant has been enjoying several “farewells” over the past few weeks upon his retirement from general manager of the Valley Center Municipal Water District (VCMWD) after 36 years, but the sweetest may be the tributes from fellow water professionals and public officials at a special board meeting on Monday, January 5 at the district board room.

It began with praise by his successor, Lindsay Leahy, who declared, “I’m honored to follow in your footsteps,” and board President Enrico Ferro presenting a plaque “recognizing and commending” Arant’s 56 years in the business—including 36 at VCMWD and proclaiming “Water Titan Day.” Ferro recognized Arant for “Consistently placing the needs of the community [at the highest level], and protecting the district’s long-term interests” while “building trust and collaboration.”