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Aug 12, 2023

Big 'R' on Ramona water tank honors retired water district director

The water tank visible from Hanson Lane has been repainted with an “R” for Ramona, Ramona High School and Jim Robinson, who retired after 20 years on the Ramona Municipal Water District’s board of

The water tank visible from Hanson Lane has been repainted with an “R” for Ramona, Ramona High School and Jim Robinson, who retired after 20 years on the Ramona Municipal Water District’s board of directors.

The ID-5 water tank off Old Julian Highway between downtown Ramona and San Diego Country Estates is now known as the “Robinson Tank.”

Water district directors voted unanimously Nov. 8 to rename the 40-foot-high tank, which holds 484,000 gallons of water, after Robinson.

“He added his foresight and timely advice to numerous RMWD committees including those to improve the district’s engineering processes, the district’s responses to the future with lessons learned from the Witch Creek Fire, and planning and improvements for the Santa Maria Recycled Water Plant,” said Kellie Barclay, board secretary.

Robinson also was involved in the development of the Ramona Parks and Recreation Association, Wellfield Community Park and the Ramona Junior Fair grounds, Barclay said.

Board President Jim Hickle said Robinson provided a historical perspective and understanding with his knowledge of the water systems.

“He’s always been an advocate for the youth and the community. That’s what I like most about him,” Hickle said. “His knowledge and history with the district will be missed. I think all the board members will agree with that.”

The “R” was painted by local San Diego artist Matthew Cavanagh from California Artworks. Cavanagh does custom hand-painted murals, including several for San Diego schools. He has been painting in Southern California since 2009.

The design matches the “R” in the painted “Ramona” on the Ramona High School gym and was placed on the tank so it can be viewed from Ramona High, Olive Pierce Middle School, and Robinson’s home.

The water district was also looking to connect its infrastructure with the community, taking inspiration from Fallbrook Public Utility District’s Rattlesnake Tank, on which Fallbrook staff annually paint the year of the graduating high school class.

“This tribute to Jim Robinson’s decades of community service to R town and Ramona Municipal Water District is well deserved,” Hickle said. “It is fitting that our future leaders can look up and admire the R on this tank and all for which it stands.”