The Ramona / SDCE Community

By Rex A. Schildhouse

A Twenty-five Year Resident's View

Of the numerous things I would like addressed in the Ramona / San Diego Country Estates (SDCE) they would be, not in any particular order:

1) Sustained safe, secure, reliable water systems capable of supporting the Ramona / SDCE residents and the needs of emergency response units during the many facets of service environments we are exposed to. During, and shortly after the Witch Creek Fire of 2007 water was critically restricted for a multitude of reasons. Can a reasonable position be attained when cost, benefit, and risk are evaluated to preclude, or minimizing, this type of event again? No system will be perfect and not many systems are cheap so every system is a trade-off. I believe the RMWD has made many very good and reasonable decisions based on past events to protect our future. I would like to participate and help in the process of making decisions for the future. I understand that not everyone will agree with every decision. The decisions need to be "general population, good for the community at large" decisions.

2) Greater access into, but more specifically, out of the Ramona / SDCE community. With Wildcat Canyon, Rt 67, Rt 78 West, and Rt 78 East we are confined to two lane roads. This limits us to four, usually three or less, exit lanes with events like fires. The Rt 78 East lane is immediately lost with fires from the east, our usual threat. While this is a costly geological challenge our evacuation routes are tightly constrained during periods of evacuation as well as during daily rush hours. And part of this issue is through the sovereign nation of Barona Indian Reservation which complicates the matter even more. Over the years there have been major improvements on Rt 67 at the Ramona / Poway border and improvements on Rt 78 between Ramona and the San Pasqual Valley. However, all four exit routes are still choke points affecting our safety.

3) Government employee compensation is a big issue right now in many locations. Governmental employee compensation through pay and benefits needs to be appropriate and comparable to commercial positions. This is how you get the employee that can be counted on to do the job when the job needs to be done. And the job needs to be done. I have no information regarding RMWD compensation factors and suspect that they are reasonable. I live partially on a retirement as a result of a career in the U.S. Navy. I am sensitive to reductions in my benefits. I evaluate every proposal, hopefully, with an open mind.

4) As a governmental entity, the RMWD is a business providing a service for a cost. The RMWD is easily accessed by its customers with a responsive office staff. On numerous trips to the offices of the RMWD I have never left the office unsatisfied. However, the Ramona / SDCE community is basically a bedroom community. I would love to see the RMWD board meetings moved into the evening hours for increased participation by the community. I do not think this will significantly increase board meeting attendance but it will enable more of those who work outside the community to attend when they feel it is needed.

5) I ask you to vote for SOMEONE. A vote for Someone is better than a vote not cast.

Educationally I have an associate of applied science and bachelor of science degree from Southern Illinois University, both aviation related. I attained a master's in business administration from Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia, while stationed in Washington, D.C. as a project manager. After retiring I completed a graduate level professional certificate in accountancy program from a private San Diego university. I have passed both the AICPA and IMA/Certified Managerial Accountants examinations. I am NOT A CPA or a CMA. I just understand business and accounting very well. I write college level accounting textbooks and teach accounting as adjunct faculty in a local community college.

Thanks, Rex A Schildhouse