Response to Attacks Against Current and Past Board Members

By Daniel M. "Danny" Akagi

The October 30, 2004 Daily Review ran a letter from Tim McGowan attacking current and past board members, following are responses to these attacks and additional information on the issues.

BOARD MEMBER ENDORSEMENTS. Past and current board members grant endorsements to candidates based on qualifications. These endorsements are the most important endorsements in this election, as the board members are individuals from our community committed to the well being of our community, the mission of the district, and health of the sanitary district. Dennis Waespi, Dave Sadoff and I received these endorsements. Tim states that he did not receive these endorsements (specifically from Tom Edwards) because he seeks to limit benefits to the board members. Through their service to the community, the past and current board members have demonstrated that they do not let personal gains interfere with serving the community. Tom Edwards has no conflict of interest, in regards to benefits, as he is not eligible to receive any benefits.

TREATMENT PLANT. The treatment plant is not in violation of the Clean Water Act. For many years, the Regional Water Quality Control Board (Water Board) required our plant's treated wastewater be measured along with three other treatment plants. This provides an economical method for determining Water Board permit compliance and allows economical flexibility in how all four plants operate. Only now, the Water Board has decided to monitor individual plants. The current District Board is responsible for the proactive treatment plant evaluation to meet NEW individual permits, and bring this information to the Water Board. The District worked out a plan for upgrading the plant with adequate time to fully resolve technical and financial issues. The upgrades will be performed without putting the District into debt. Further, the sewer mains, treatment plant, and outlet to the Bay are designed to handle flow increases due to wet weather, while remaining in permit compliance.

SOLID WASTE. Castro Valley's award winning solid waste diversion program will be improving towards the 75% diversion goal with full implementation of the construction and demolition recycling requirements, improved school recycling, evolving E-Waste recycling and other new programs. Castro Valley has been an award winning leader in solid waste reduction, promoting best solid waste practices, and implementing new and industry leading programs. Dennis Waespi, Dave Sadoff, and I are fully committed to maintaining the District's role as a leader in this industry and to lead the other solid waste agencies in Alameda County to the 75% diversion goal.