A Short Biography

By Katherine Sweet

We`ve now reached a critical juncture. Decisions about our water supply become more important every day. Both of our aquifers are being over-drafted. The threat of saltwater intrusion grows daily.

I've always believed in community volunteerism.

As a core member of Save Soquel for many years, I learned much about local government and how the public can access that process. I have become very knowledgeable about land use and zoning, and California environmental laws.

I'm proud of my public service on the Santa Cruz County Housing Commission I've given many hours to Friends of Soquel Creek, Monterey Bay Master Gardeners, teaching compost workshops for Ecology Action and the Red Cross - just to name a few of my other interests.

Residents since the early 1960's, my husband and I built our home in Soquel in 1978 and have a 35 year old daughter. I've been a social worker and also taught Head Start. I owned a retail shop, In Stitches, that was located on the Santa Cruz Mall.

I volunteered for almost two years on the Water District's Public Advisory Committee. The PAC was ostensibly convened for community members to examine solutions to our water supply deficit.

My PAC experience was both educational and frustrating. I came to understand that the problems our community faces are greater than the District wants to admit. I came to believe that the District hoped that the PAC would simply confirm decisions the Board had already made.

This process made me realize how much we need open, unbiased leadership in managing our water resources. It's time for new faces on the Soquel Creek Water Board.

I have the hands-on experience and the skills to make intelligent contributions to finding answers for the difficult problems we now face.

I would like your vote on November 7.