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The questions were prepared by the Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County and asked of all candidates for this office.
See below for questions on
Experience,
Finances,
Collaboration
Click on a name for candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
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1. What experience or training do you have which would help the District meet its goals?
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Answer from Rosemary Kamei:
I have over 23 years in water related and water resources management experience. As a small business owner and as a Director for 12 years, I have set water policy to acheive a better quality of life in Santa Clara County.
Answer from Ram (Singh) Singh:
My education, research, and engineering experience have been in the field of water resources and Environmental Engineering. I am professor and head of water resources at San Jose State University. A large number of my graduates are employed at the District and all over the world. I have known the operations of the Water District since 1967. The District's duty involves making decisions on the water resources projects and facilities. I have all the knowledge and expertise to contribute effectively to enhancing the efficiency of the District's management.
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2. What is your evaluation of the financial condition of the District?
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Answer from Ram (Singh) Singh:
I have seen the District grow from 50-60 employees in 1967 to 850 employees today. District's budget has been growing unjustifiably fast. We need to stop duplications and waste of taxpayers' money. Money and resources have been wasted on wrong engineering projects and/or applying incorrect solutions to the needed problems. To pay for its unneeded buldging bureaucracy, the District has brought about doubling of the water rates in last 8 years. Manpower cost of the District has doubled in last 4 years. Unnecessary infrastructures have been created on a grand scale with tax money. The District spent a huge chunk of tax money on importing water from outside while it allowed 18 billion gallons of surplus water in our reservoirs to be released to the Bay last year. Economic optimization and benefit cost analysis should be injected into the process in the budget process. 'Tax and Spend' attitude of the current District's management must change.
Groundwater contamination continues all over the county for years, but no effective steps have been implemented to prevent it. Urgently needed flood control projects have been ignored.
Ecology of riparian corridors and sensitive watersheds is in bad shape. The District must pay greater attention to protecting the environment in its jurisdiction.
The Board can play a more active role in decision-making with an water resources expert like me as its member. We need to work with the management and the Board to enhance the efficiency in the District at all levels.
Answer from Rosemary Kamei:
While state and federal funding has been inconsistent, the District has been successful in acheiving community needs for water supply and flood managment as well as protection of our environment while being fiscally sound and responsible.
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3. In what ways would you collaborate with other governmental entities to achieve the District's goals?
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Answer from Rosemary Kamei:
Collaboration with other governmental agencies is key to the success of moving forward with many of the projects that the District is involved with, such as: Water Resources Protection Collaborative, Habitat Conservation Plan, Guadalupe Collaborative, SCRWA water recyling project, Regional Desalinazation Project, Perchlorate Working Group and many more.
Answer from Ram (Singh) Singh:
We should work and cooperate with federal, state, and local agencies to avail their expertise and draw benefits from their experience. Federal and State cooperation will also bring valuable resources and monies as grants for executing various projects. We have to cultivate and maintain good relationship with them. I find they are more than willing to talk, cooperate and fund worthy local projects. This year, California's legislature has authorized 2.8 billion dollars for fixing our levee systems. Santa Clara Valley Water District should jump to get its share of this fund to fix our weak levees on Coyote, Guadalupe, and other creeks. This is one example of various grants available for water projects.
Many private organizations can also help with their experience and knowledge. Public inputs should be actively sought in the planning of any project. Many environmental groups are eager to assist in clean up and improving the environment, if their cooperation is sought and appreciated.
Responses to questions asked of each candidate
are reproduced as submitted to the League.
Candidates' responses are not edited or corrected by the League.
The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.
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League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
