CANDIDATE STATEMENT

By Edrick L. Haggans

During the early days of my tenure on the EPA Sanitary District Board, the district was in financial ruin, inter-board relationships were mired in bitter acrimony, and strategic planning was non-existent.

As a result of an inept management team,and poor decision-making by the board, the district had defaulted on a major bond, squandered long term reserve funds and devalued the once impeccable credit rating to junk status.

Under my leadership, we hired a new management team, framed new fiscal policy and nurtured a culture of empathy and consensus among board members.

As Engineering Committee chair, I established a comprehensive strategic plan to address the district's 70 year old infrastructure and recommended hiring a new engineering firm, saving the district thousands of dollars . Currently,our staff has one of the best records in the state on preventing sewage overflows, ensuring the Health and Safety of the community.

As Chair of the intergovernmental Committee, I forged a renewed relationship with the city of EPA to share vital emergency resources in the case of a local disaster.

I have been a tireless crusader in building the district into its present status.

Currently, the district enjoys a AAA financial rating,a refurbished infrastructure and and a smoothly-functioning board culture.

As the most experienced board member, I bring a greater depth of knowledge of the intricacies of operating the District than my associates.

I am the only candidate in this election who is a Senior citizen. I understand from personal experience the difficulty many seniors face trying to meet ever-increasing costs on fixed incomes.

I intend to hold taxes down by continuing to fund maintenence and capital projects of our underground sewage system over several year's budgets, rather than deferring needed maintenance, then mandating steep increases in a single tax year as the 70 year old system deteriorates.

I look forward to an opportunity to continue the vital work I have been begun by asking you to re-elect me to the East Palo Alto Sanitary District Board of directors on November 3rd, 2009