Talks over stalled water grant continue as San Juan’s Mayor Dan
Reed struggles to recover
Reed, the mayor of San Juan Bautista, has been hospitalized for
more than a week and remains at Salinas Memorial Hospital.
Talks over stalled water grant continue as San Juan’s Mayor Dan Reed struggles to recover
Reed, the mayor of San Juan Bautista, has been hospitalized for more than a week and remains at Salinas Memorial Hospital.
Multiple sources close to San Juan Bautista City Hall say that Reed, who suffers from a congenital lung disease, came very close to death last Sunday after checking in to the hospital’s intensive care. He is slowly recovering from the serious condition he was in, but details about his health are scant.
By Tuesday the Mayor was conscious and talking somewhat from his hospital bed, but was still considered in critical condition.
“It’s definitely a serious situation,” said Jan McClintock, San Juan city manager, who said she was authorized by Reed’s wife, Maria, to speak to the press. “But he’s better than he was, so that’s good news. He is progressing a little bit but he is still very weak.”
Earlier this week McClintock, and several council members went to see Reed at the hospital, and all are hoping the town leader pulls through. Reed, elected to the council in 2004, has two more years to fulfill as councilman. The mayor of San Juan is elected by the council every year on a rotational basis.
It is not clear yet when Reed will be able to resume his duties as mayor, nor do other city leaders know how or if his serious illness will affect current negotiations the city has restarted with the San Benito County Water District regarding the stalled water infrastructure project so badly needed in the city. Reed and Councilwoman Priscilla Hill serve as the town’s subcommittee in those negotiations.
“It’s too early to tell,” McClintock said. “The other council members are covering for him, but we will discuss it at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.”
The council will have its monthly meeting at City Hall on Tuesday, April 18, beginning at 6 p.m.
Reed was afflicted with his condition before he was elected several years ago, but vowed it would not stop him from fulfilling his role as a city official. He has rarely misses a council meeting, and arrives toting a portable oxygen pack on his person.
Regarding the water project, it appears now that the water district has responded to the city’s latest proposal in the quagmire. City officials declined to discuss the details of the district’s letter, but hinted that it seems water district officials are amenable to working once again with the city.
McClintock said details about the negotiations and the district’s response would be made clear at Tuesday’s meeting.
“It was a really good response that we got,” McClintock said. “I think we’re going to get something going in short order.”
