This is an archive of a past election.
See http://www.smartvoter.org/ca/la/ for current information.
Los Angeles County, CA November 6, 2012 Election
Smart Voter

The Politics of Water

By Joseph C. Reichenberger

Candidate for Member, Board of Directors; San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District; Division 3

This information is provided by the candidate
Over the last few decades, I have seen and increasing number of individuals running for water board director as a steping stone to higher, more "prestigious" office -- maybe school board, city council, who knows. They only have their own political career and themselves at interest. It's "what can I get out of it for me?"

Many run "slick" campaigns, spending tens of thousands of dollars. Not me. I haven't taken a dime from anyone in all the years I've been on the Board.

It seems over the last few decades that Water Board Directors seek this position to further (or initiate) their political career. In the "old days" water board directors were engineers and others in the water industry. Not any more. More and more we see "politicians" in the position looking at what they can get out of the position for themselves and, unfortunately in some cases, for their friends and relatives.

I don't believe in this; I have been on the Board of the San Gabriel Valley MWD for a number of years. I am not looking at this as a stepping stone to a political career. If so, I would have been "off the Board" a long time ago. I have expertise and experience in water resources that I am more than happy to share with the community. I look at this as community service.

More and more I see individuals running for water board, running "slick" campaigns, fancy fundraisers etc., raising and spending tens of thousands of dollars just to try to get elected. Why? It's clear there must be something more than community service. I haven't taken a dime from anyone in the years I've been on the Board.

When voting for someone for a water board position, ask yourself, "is he/she running for the right reason?"

Candidate Page || Feedback to Candidate || This Contest
November 2012 Home (Ballot Lookup) || About Smart Voter

ca/la Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 6, 2012 10:39
Smart Voter <http://www.smartvoter.org/>
Copyright © League of Women Voters of California Education Fund.
The League of Women Voters neither supports nor opposes candidates for public office or political parties.