City's New Rep on Vector Control Board Knows His Subject

The City Council of Rancho Santa Margarita on Wednesday approved the recommendation of city manager Steve Hayman to name George P. Gutman as the city’s representative to serve on the Orange County Vector Control Board of Trustees. The Vector Control Board deals with mosquito abatement in Orange County.

Gutman, a 27-year resident of RSM, has a degree in Entomology and is a registered environmental assessor. He also has a background in hazardous materials.

Semi-retired, he is currently a conulstant to the agricultural and nursery industries  specializing in California agricultural water regulations, pest quarantine regulations, and pest management plans.

Gutman received an enthusiastic unanimous approval—not only for the remaining two months of the current term for the position but for the following two years as well—and it brought some of the most interesting comments of the night in a short council meeting.

Jerry Holloway: “I say this as a form of advice ... You’re going to be in a room full of vultures—all of them are politicians. … Don’t be shy. You’re going to know a lot more about the subject matter that they’re talking about than the bulk of the people in the room.”

Gutman: “I’ve worked the district in the past on several projects. … You have to keep the science moving forward.”

Jesse Petrilla: “I’m very excited to see an entomologist that came out of the woodwork and was able to get involved in this. … I think you will serve this city well.”

Tony Beall: “Protecting the public safety is foremost. However, there’s more to the job than bugs. There’s a whole organization and structure there that, as the city’s representative, we’re going to look to you to hold the line on maintaining an efficient and fiscally conservative structure. Sometimes bureaucracies have a tendency to want to grow, and grow their budgets, and these are lean times in our state and nation, so it’s very important you approach it with a fiscally conservative mindset.”

Carol Gamble: “I wish to thank you, Mr. Gutman, for your willingness to serve the community. I’m not sure I would do the same in my golden years of retirement, so I thank you.”

Gutman replaces Gary Thompson, who resigned his council position in March.