| Contra Costa County, CA | November 4, 2014 Election |
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Civic Engagement for RatepayersBy Leonard McNeilCandidate for Director; West County Wastewater District |
This information is provided by the candidate | |
The West County Wastewater District should formalize a structure to involve the ratepayers through participatory democracy.As a special district, the West County Wastewater District is responsible directly to the ratepayers. Under the California Constitution, ratepayers and voters must have vehicles and methods to influence their representatives. I call for establishing and maintaining a structure that involves the ratepayers in the functioning of the wastewater district. Democracy works best when people know about the government that serves them. A Ratepayers Advisory Committee could be comprised of representatives from the diverse areas of the wastewater district such as San Pablo, Tara Hills, El Sobrante, East Richmond Heights, Montalvin, the southern portion of Pinole and the northern portion of Richmond. In this sense, a Ratepayers Advisory Committee represents a commitment to diversity and inclusion programs and initiatives. This proposed committee should comprise representation from residential, commercial and industrial sectors. The wastewater district should employ culturally competent communication strategies that foster participation in decisions and policy that impact wastewater district neighborhood and communities. The wastewater district should publish a regular hard copy and e-newsletter as a matter of education, transparency and accountability. The wastewater district should host regular community stakeholder meetings and community outreach events to educate and obtain feedback from the ratepayers and residents. I also believe in democracy within the workplace. The wastewater employees who operate the treatment plant, those in the administrative office and the workers who unclog the pipes under our streets should have a voice in the operation and function of the wastewater system. This input leads to more intelligent decision-making to the extent that it maximizes the human capital among staff. |
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