Candidate for
Director; Dublin-San Ramon Community Services District

When I ran in 2004, finding a way to provide life-line rates to low income ratepayers and seniors was my number 2 priority. It has moved up to number 1 now that the economy makes it even more necessary. State laws resulting from the passage of Proposition 218 in 1994 make it difficult for the District to offer special rates for some users, but creative ways can be found to do this within the law. The District now recognizes the need for this and is working on finding a solution. I consider my recent efforts at least partially responsible for their renewed interest in getting this done.

The District has been very successful with its recycled water program in partnership with East Bay Municipal Utility District. State law was changed in 2009 to support home recycling of captured rainwater and gray water from laundries and bathroom sinks. I became interested in this last year and installed 2500 gallons of rainwater tanks to use for laundry. I'm now having another 3000 gallons of rainwater for summer irrigation of a drought tolerant front yard. East Bay MUD provides incentives to replace thirsty grass lawns. DSRSD needs to offer incentives (rebates, discount coupons, informational assistance) for property owners who want to do these things.

The District tends to have short board meetings and not very many residents attend. I believe it is important for residents to be more aware of what these governmental agencies are doing. I'd like to see District board meetings televised on the community cable TV channel so residents can learn more about what it does and how it affects them. As a former Director of Community TV30, I know a reasonable price can be negotiated with the station and taped unobtrusively for broadcast on Channel 28 or 29.

I am against urban development in Tassajara Valley and would vote against supplying potable water to any future developments planned for Tassajara Valley. See my Position Paper for more details on this.