Letter from Friends to Elect Terry Thomas to support Candidacy to South Bay Irrigation District 4 in 2014

By Teresa "Terry" Thomas

Letter sent to Constituents and Community of the South Bay Irrigation District, Division 4 to support the Candidacy of Prof. Terry Thomas. We appreciate your help in this grassroots effort to support Friends to Elect Terry Thomas P. O. Box 3835, Chula Vista CA 91909-3835 FPPC # 1290534 Andy Rubio C.P.A. Treasurer terrythomas4water@cox.net

P.O.Box 3835 Chula Vista, CA 91909-3835

September, 2014

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

We all need a healthy, reliable, affordable and secure water quality and supply. It is one of the most important resources upon which we all depend for our quality of life, public health, natural resources, economic progress and children and other loved ones' future. It is directly connected to our life, our work, and our play.
For these reasons, I ask your support at the November 4, 2014 polls and endorsement of my candidacy for the Director position on the South Bay Irrigation District, Division 4, a part of the large water utility, Sweetwater Authority, that serves over 186,000 people in western Chula Vista, Bonita, National City and SD County unincorporated areas, such as Lincoln Acres.
Our South Bay Irrigation District/SWA website is
http://www.sweetwater.org

As a long time resident of southwest Chula Vista and professor emeritus of microbiology and environmental biology at Southwestern College with a proven high service and leadership record in various workforce programs, environmental and public health, economic development and international trade, humanitarian and social service, Sister cities and other global outreach efforts, successful programs and professional accomplishments, I have a track record and promise to continue to represent you with integrity, respect, due diligence, dedication, scholarship, experience, and fiscal responsibility.
My extensive and successful background as a scientist, community volunteer and leader or team-partner activist, member of the Chula Vista General Plan Update Steering Committee , San Diego CV Bayfront Master Plan team, Resource Conservation Commission, International Friendship Commission, Ethics Commission, Chamber of Commerce, CV Foundation Founding Board, local workforce partnerships, and member of statewide Association of California Water Agencies Water Quality and other statewide and Calif. Special District Association involvement better prepared me to meet the challenges and the opportunities that we encounter now (drought) and in the future. Refer to League of Women Voters website for more info.

http://www.smartvoter.org/

I promise to continue to work for our region's economic, workforce education, water/energy efficiency and green tech progress, public and environmental health, and quality of life. I hope that you will support me with your vote at the polls and, if possible, with a donation on behalf of my candidacy, as well as phone calls or notes to friends and neighbors, I am amazed at how expensive it is to run for an office to represent and work for the benefit of others and our Chula Vista and South Bay community. Whatever support you provide is very much appreciated. I will continue to honor your vote of confidence in my public service. Thank you so much.

Sincerely yours,

Teresa "Terry" Thomas 619 427-3181 terrythomas4water@cox.net

SOUTH BAY IRRIGATION DISTRICT 4 2014

TERESA "TERRY" THOMAS Microbiologist, Educator, Scientist

A Name You Can Trust

WATER GOALS, PRIORITIES, ACTIONS, ACHIEVEMENTS

We all need a healthy, reliable, safe, and affordable water supply. Water is the main resource for our quality of life, public health, economic progress and environmental sustainability. Water quality and availability are keys to our future global peace and security.

• Track Record of Integrity, Due Diligence, and Collaboration: A resident of Chula Vista and San Diego County, my public service included service on the Chula Vista Ethics Board, Resource Conservation Commission, International Friendship Commission, C. V. General Plan Update Steering Committee on which I represented the Environment, Open Space and Sustainable Development Steering Committee. I also represented the GPU Steering Committee on the CV San Diego Bayfront Master Plan Committee. My public service also included several terms on the SD County Solid Waste Hearing Panel, San Diego-Tijuana International Boundary and Water Commission Forum Board, and Founding Board of Chula Vista Charitable Foundation, and dedicated commitment to Sister Cities programs with Odawara, Kanagawa, Japan, Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico, Cebu City, Philippines, Yokohama, Japan, and Leon, Mexico. Was Sister Cities International 50th anniversary Distinction Honoree. As an elected member SD LAFCO Special Districts Advisory Board, current President South Bay Irrigation District and statewide service on ACWA Water Quality and Communications Committees, I have a track record representing residents, businesses, and stakeholders with integrity, fiscal responsibility, transparency, and due diligence.

• Priority Quality of Life, Community Economic / Environmental Health. My dedication is to my residential and business constituents and the whole community for the benefit of our quality of life, economic and environmental health, and working-together spirit through partnerships, educational programs, open communication at forums and service groups, beneficial demonstration programs and collaboration. I supported the Water Works Education Program (in advisory capacity) and the Water Conservation programs at Cuyamaca College which shows water smart, water-wise exhibits Visit http://www.thegarden.org We voted to supply part of the funding to get it off the ground and SWA still supports as a part of the board and as a model, very effective resources for our constituents and community. We also supported the model demonstrations and brochure in the area surrounding our Administration building on Garrett Avenue, Chula Vista. 91910

• My priorities are healthy water quality, affordability, and reliability: I support of increased water / energy efficiency / budget oversight and a five-year strategic plan coupled to metrics and work plan for customer service, operations, financial matters, and public education and outreach.

• I supported responsible Poseidon ocean desalination from day one. I sat through the 10 hour meetings as a part of the 9-water utility partnership to get it off the ground with the coastal commission etc. Then later I supported the request by SD County Water Authority to make it a part of the regional San Diego County need for local water supply and increased regional sustainability (reducing dependence on imported water) and signed over our 9-member partnership support role to C.W.A.

• I also supported our SWA Richard Reynolds Groundwater Desalination Plant Expansion and increase Security measures. This will increase our locally available water supply and also decreased dependence on imported water from the Metropolitan Water District or the Colorado River. Also, I fully supported the ongoing United States Geological Survey Research and other scientific research studies on our Groundwater System and how extensive it is and its functionality, flow, impacts, and dynamics on water quality, salinity, and natural purification, as well as brine disposal processes and mitigations. We also resolved a challenge by San Diego Water Utilities and they are also now involved in the expansion and some of the Groundwater desalination costs and benefits of increased reliability.

• Maintained infrastructure highly acclaimed very low leak record. Most water utilities nationwide enjoy hundreds of leaks a year. We have usually less than 10 a year. Awesome! We pay attention to the pipes and valves to prevent water leaks...but the few that get away may be due to a construction error or someone's accident. We do have our challenges, the hundred year old 36 inch pipe at our Sweetwater Reservoir sprung a leak and so we are in the multi-year process of planning that and redirecting the route to increase functionality and reduce costs (for another long term "life). Remember, the Sweetwater Dam was, at the time, the largest dam in the United States. So we have a history, as well as a caretaker role and gratitude to the original builders and innovators that put it in place.

• I support the use of Solar Energy at the Richard Reynolds plant and possible Hydroelectric Energy at SW Reservoir: The current proposals are showing the potential for a Returns on the Investment in each case that will benefit our energy costs budget and also contribute less to air pollution, climate change, and potentially provide community future financial benefit. See Agendas and Packets on http://www.sweetwater.org Voice replay of meetings.

• I voted against the water rate increases and plan several times. For your information, I voted against the recent water rate increase also. I was a part of the minority voting NO. On a number of occasions, I had publicly requested a new SWA consultant study be carried out for water rates that included greater consideration of the comprehensive valid readiness-to-serve costs shared by all of a particular category and respective meter-size (residents, businesses, etc.) and the rates for the water product used and a consideration of the allocation for certain categories of users such as coastal vs. inland location pus also geotechnical profile of the soil and land (see Public Policy Institute of California study).

I am also concerned about the impacts on air quality of the browning of lawns, dust, and agriculture areas, natural resources, gardens, our Chula Vista City of Trees reputation, and also impact on the pocketbook of lowest and average water users when they enter the next tier with its higher rate being applied to all the water supply used, state mandated rules, subsequent drought rates and the proposed fines for different levels drought impacted state mandates. Pleased to say a new consultant study will be occurring this year and I want to be there for that discussion and make sure your input (constituent and stakeholder) is involved in this process and improved outcome for water rates during normal times, as well as in drought challenged times. Am very proud to say that South Bay Irrigation District and the City of National City are among the lowest water users per capita in the state of California. We are the responsible water savers and need to be commended for that effort...not penalized. We have increased our customer service, education, and outreach efforts to the community to further save money.

• Sweetwater Authority and Staff are Award winning on your behalf. During my years of service, Sweetwater Authority received the Theodore Roosevelt Environmental Excellence award, the San Diego Science Alliance Educational Service award, and this year the California Special Districts Association Transparency Excellence Award and the Public Works award for Perdue Plant water quality Dissolved Air Flotation upgrade project, plus staff received American Water Works Association awards for Excellence of Service

• I support Local Environmental and Water Educational Programs: We were a part of the Burrowing Owl habitat expansion project and their successful habitat at Sweetwater Reservoir. My request to upgrade the content of the Sweetwater River Basin display at the Chula Vista Nature Center / Ocean Discovery Center is currently in process. Water-wise efforts include support for grey water, storm-water, water reuse programs.
  As a proponent of long-range strategic planning, community outreach, education and rebate programs that enhance economic, environmental, social welfare. More info on the League of Women Voters web site http://www.smartvoter.org/ by searching south bay irrigation district 4 candidates.

My biographical link on that site gives much info on my experience, education, accomplishments, and innovative and collaboration partnerships over the years. I appreciate the honor and privilege of serving you for the upcoming term. Thank you for your support.