“Does this not signal that Valley Water tolerates harassment at all levels given its willingness to use tax dollars to pay an abuser of power?”
— Criticism from an unnamed Santa Clara Valley Water District staffer of its separation agreement with CEO Rick Callender following sexual harassment findings, read to board members at a recent meeting. The district board voted to pay Callender $520,000 to resign while he continues working off-site as a “special advisor” for another year.