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The questions were prepared by the Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County and asked of all candidates for this office.
See below for questions on
Issues,
Experience,
Balancing interests,
Finances
Click on a name for candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
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1. What are three top issues facing the Water District and what are some of the solutions that you believe will address the problems?
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Answer from Dennis Kennedy:
The top issue today is The Drought, which can be addressed in a number of ways. We must continue with across the board conservation efforts and increase recycling. The second issue facing our District is protection of the environment and our watersheds. We must be diligent in protecting our watershed from run-off pollution - we are accomplishing this from the "Clean Safe Creeks" measure. Finally the Little Llagas Creek Flood issue, of which we are working on right now to finalize funding.
Answer from Tom Cruz:
The first issue is the approval and monitoring of the annual budget. One of my campaign Priorities is to provide stringent oversight and strict accountability of our Tax-Payer Funded Water District annual budget of nearly $500 Million. Over the past two years, the Board has approved a 65% increase ($185 M) to the budget funded by various sources including our property taxes. While water projects in our community continue to be delayed, business reform is needed. That is why I am on the ballot. With my business background having been a Registered Financial Representative with the Securities and Exchange Commission, it allows me to understand detailed budgets, financial reports, investments and money management. I will utilize my unique educational and work experience in science and finance as a huge asset in my abilities to understand and apply towards the Water District's projects and budgeting.
Secondly, increased distribution of recycled water for residential landscaping, farmland and agriculture needs to be quickly implemented. For example, the Water District's Silicon Valley Advanced Water Purification Center (SVAWPC) was recently opened to produce 8 million gallons of recycled water per day. Very little to none of this water is being used for the South County community for our needs especially during the hardships of the drought. I will advocate for prompt allocation of some of this precious water to South County for non-potable use such as farming and agriculture. As is treated now, the water being produced at the SVAWPC is of very high quality and nearly drinking water ready. My ultimate goal is to invest into the South County by turning this water into drinking water.
Third, the drought that we are experiencing is one of the worst this community has experienced. Water conservation programs need to be immediately enhanced. Recently, the Water District rolled out a "Brown is the New Green" campaign and the Board approved $500,000 of tax-payer funds to hire 10 water inspectors. However, the Water District already has a free App (Access Valley Water) that allows community members to anonymously report excess water use to the Water District. Rather than spend $500,000 on 10 people who have no authority to issue fines or penalties as well as it being a redundancy of work, this money could have been more useful in utilizing technology to find and repair leakages in the water distribution pipelines.
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2. What experience and training do you have which would help the Water District meet its goals?
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Answer from Tom Cruz:
I attended college on a U.S. Air Force ROTC scholarship studying Electrical Engineering and Physics. To have broader career opportunities, I simultaneously pursued the business field and became a Registered Financial Representative through the Securities and Exchange Commission.
As a former Financial Consultant, I am well experienced in budgeting, money management, financial reporting and investment management. I would use my background to ensure that the Water District uses the tax-payer funded annual budget of nearly $500 Million conservatively, wisely and on programs that directly support the community members and businesses of South County.
Combining my business experience with my education, I am able to understand water concepts and apply them to the Water District's projects involving water treatment processes, groundwater systems, distribution systems and the critical seismic retrofit to Anderson dam in South County.
My financial experience allows me to understand detailed budgets, financial reports, investments and money management. I will utilize my unique educational and work experience background in science and finance as a huge asset in my abilities to understand and apply towards the Water District's projects and budgeting.
After having a successful financial career, I chose to devote myself as a public servant to the community and I am now working at the County of Santa Clara. It's been seven years and I am ready to take on a more active role to serve you.
I have been a resident of District 1 for almost 20 years and throughout this time I have seen the work the Water District has performed and how tax-payer funds are used. It's time for the Water District to complete what they promised the community within the timeframes and tax-payer funded budget. I will bring reform with a business perspective.
Answer from Dennis Kennedy:
I am a Professional Mechanical Engineer, registered in the State of California, with a strong background in fluid mechanics, flow and fluid engineering. At IBM I managed incoming water to all sites at Cottle Rd., including the several large wells and the Industrial Waste Water Treatment System. This system was one of the first in the State to include Carbon and Ionization filtration systems. I have also served in my community for over 30 years and understand the needs of the people living here
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3. How will you balance your constituents' needs and interests with residential, agricultural and business needs of the entire county while safeguarding the environment?
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Answer from Tom Cruz:
The entire South County constituent needs are important and I will advocate for all of them. With the current drought situation, accessing and providing water to the community for basic life needs is critical. I will advocate for alternative measures to provide water for well owners, agricultural businesses and residents to assist in obtaining additional water sources. As a supporter of wildlife programs, I will ensure that natural resources are upheld and that the 50 year multi-county habitat plan is maintained.
Answer from Dennis Kennedy:
I will be diligent in my efforts to bring all parties involved together at the table to discuss the issues and to listen to all of the concerns brought forward. I am a firm negotiator and have listened to all sides of an issue before I act.
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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?
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Answer from Tom Cruz:
The Santa Clara Valley Water District is a special district which receives funding form a variety of sources including property taxes from the 1.8 Million people living in Santa Clara County. This year, the current Water District Board of Directors approved an annual budget of nearly $500 Million for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2014. Over the last few years, the Water District reduced their budget and employee headcount through attrition. However, this year the budget increased dramatically by $185 Million as compared to the budget in 2012. Although financial stable due to their financial reserves, usage of our tax-payer funds needs to be thoroughly reviewed to ensure money is spent on the water projects under the 15 year voter approved Safe Clean Water initiative as promised to the community. My focus will also be on ensuring that the Water District's aging infrastructure be pro-actively maintained or replaced rather than wait for breaks, which would result in higher costs to fix. Promoting additional pipeline connections to existing infrastructure from various dams, reservoirs or water treatment facilities should also be considered.
Answer from Dennis Kennedy:
Maintaining our Infrastructure for the movement of clean water as well as waste water is an ongoing priority. I believe that old leaking pipes must be upgraded or replaced. I think the Water District has the funding in place to do this but as the years go by, it will be increasingly important to stay on top of the infrastructure improvements.
Responses to questions asked of each candidate
are reproduced as submitted to the League.
Candidates' statements are presented as
submitted. The answer to each question should be limited to 400 words. Direct references to opponents are not permitted.
The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.
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League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
