L.A. County supervisors recently named two Santa Clarita Valley residents, Wayne Crawford and Jason Gibbs, to a steering committee expected to weigh in on stormwater priorities this week.

Crawford, president of Santa Clarita Concrete, and Gibbs, a mechanical engineer with GP Strategies Inc., were both named as advisers to the Safe Clean Water Program Watershed Area Steering Committee for Los Angeles County.

Crawford was appointed to the Steering Committee, which directs funds earmarked for environmental improvement, as an at-large community member, with Gibbs named as a community stakeholder. Both men are also members of the Valley Industry Association, a local business advocacy group.

The committee is expected to develop new guidelines and select programs that would prioritize funding through Measure W. The Safe, Clean Water Act — a parcel tax for impermeable surfaces — was approved by voters by a 69.45% margin on Nov. 6, 2018.

The special property tax applies to parcels located in the Los Angeles County Flood Control District, throughout most of Los Angeles County, at a rate of 2.5 cents per square foot of impermeable area.

This encompasses paved or built-in surfaces — like concrete patios and driveways — that prevent stormwater and urban runoff from entering the earth.

Wayne Crawford

A successful businessman who in addition to owning Santa Clarita Concrete also co-owns Valencia Acura, Crawford has also made a financial commitment to many local nonprofits. His personal and professional contributions well exceed hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Crawford, one of the city of Santa Clarita’s founding fathers as a founding member and director of CIVIC, was also a co-founder of the Valencia Industrial Association (now the Valley Industry Association), is a past president of the Boys & Girls Club of SCV, and is a major donor to Henry Mayor Newhall Hospital.

Crawford was also bestowed with the title of 2008’s Silver Spur Award Recipient for Community Service, granted by the College of the Canyons.

Jason Gibbs

James Gibbs
James Gibbs is expected to represent local business interests on the five-member committee for the Santa Clara River and Antelope Valley.

“I look forward to serving the people of Santa Clarita and ensuring that Measure W funds are utilized efficiently and effectively on projects that will benefit our community,” Gibbs was quoted as saying in a news release issued on Tuesday.

“Expanding our water supply by capturing and cleaning stormwater will serve as a vital resource for Los Angeles County and all of its residents,” he said.