League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 6, 2012 Election
	Patrick S. Kwok Answers Questions Candidate for Director; Santa Clara Valley Water District; Division 5

The questions were prepared by the Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. What are three top issues facing the Water District and what are some of the solutions that you believe will address the problems?

The top three issues are seismic repair of dams and aging infrastructures, ensuring a safe, clean water supply and transparency and accountability with the board and employees.

In order to address aging infrastructures I will work hard to ensure that projects are completed on schedule, on time, and within budget.

In order to address a safe, clean water supply, I will continue to work with the State Legislature and also push for further water conservation efforts and the use of recycled water.

In order to address transparency and accountability, I will continue to push for more audits, improve operational efficiences, hold management accountable for their work, and ensure the public is always informed via various communications efforts.

2. What experience and training do you have which would help the Water District meet its goals?

I have more than 45+ years in water resources management, 11 years of policy-making experience, and two masters in Public Administration and Civil/Environmental Engineering. I also served on more than 10 boards including League of California Cities, California Water Environment Association, Santa Clara County Recycling and Waste Reduction, Bay Area Quality Management and Association of California Water Agencies.

3. How will you balance your constituents' needs and interests with residential, agricultural and business needs of the entire county while safeguarding the environment?

As I have done during my first term, I will ensure that the board thoroughly evaluates the needs and issues of the different areas throughout the county. Everyone including businesses, residents and farmers, need water for sustainability. I will ensure that projects are equally distrubted and funds are budgeted equally. I will vote beased on my constituents needs ,not on politic

4. What is your evaluation of the financial condition of the Water District and how would you ensure that maintenance of infrastructure remains a District priority?

During my first term, I worked hard to drastically cut the district's budget including an FY12 budget that was 30% less than FY09, minimized water rate increases with only 2 increases of about 9.5% in the past 5 years, and successfully negotiated labor contracts resulting in savings of $7.7 million over the next 3 years. I was also instrumental in reducing the director's expenditures from $2500 to $250. If elected I plan to continue improving operational efficiencies so that was can allocate more funds to captial projects that will protect residents from floods and other natural disasters.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. Please answer each question in no more than 400 words. Direct references to opponents are not permitted.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 18, 2012 23:40
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