Judy Dietch came to Templeton in 1995 for the water, the schools, the rural atmosphere, down to earth, unpretentious people, and the still visible stars in the night sky—a place like her childhood home before massive development finally closed in. She has served in some capacity on the TCSD Board since 2000. Judy has actively participated in many TCSD committees: North County Water Task Force, Parks & Recreation and Paso Robles Ad Hoc Committee.

“I come from a small town in Southern California that went from a lot of orange groves to a big city,” said Dietch. “When I was a kid we lived on a dirt road and I had a horse I rode in the hills and it was nice to be able to find someplace that was like that again.”

She has a background of community participation in Southern California including working with local city councils, sitting on housing commissions, and working on races for political office. So it was only natural that Dietch would pick up the gauntlet in Templeton.

What issues does she feel are most important to Templeton? At the top of her list is the continuing quest for new sources of water for the growing community, but just as important according to Dietch is maintaining community partnerships and activities to keep the community working together.

“I think as we grow we have to be careful to maintain our sense of community because I’ve seen that fall apart when you’re living in an area that has too many people that are not participating,” said Dietch.

She went on to say that TCSD does this in part by maintaining partnerships with the community through the support of the Performing Arts Center, the Library, and by sponsoring activities like the Big Band Dances, Summer Concerts in the Park, the Halloween Party, and Holiday Lighting as well as Community Clean Up Day to name a few.

“It’s projects like these that bring a community together and build a sense of community pride,” said Dietch.

And to retain that sense of community she believes people need to stay actively informed. According to Dietch, the CSD wields tremendous influence in Templeton through water and sewer, Parks and Recreation, the Templeton Fire Department, and now refuse collection.

“I think most of the community doesn’t really realize the power the CSD has,” said Dietch. “People need to know what it is we do, how important it is, how it impacts their lives on a daily basis, and to be willing to take on some of that responsibility by participating.”

Dietch concluded with these thoughts.

“There’s always room for new people with fresh ideas and growth,” said Dietch. “That’s what keeps a community vital—but it has to be something that fits within the framework of what Templeton is.”

“There is really something delightful about driving down our tree-lined streets, going to the Farmer’s Market in our park, being on Main Street, running into friends at the Feed and Grain, or driving through the Post Office,” continued Dietch. “There’s a certain feeling about these things that I would hate to see disappear.”

“I know that Templeton will grow,” said Dietch. “But as a member of the Board of Directors I have an opportunity to direct that growth in such a way that we are able to retain what brought all of us here in the first place.”

Dietch holds a PhD in Psychology with an extensive background in child and family counseling and is currently a forensic psychologist with the California Department of Corrections.

She is an avid gardener and can often be found enjoying the rural Templeton lifestyle by tending her vegetable garden and fruit orchard or feeding and caring for her numerous animals including horses, llamas, sheep, pigs, chickens, ducks, turkeys, fish, dogs, and cats.