Posted by: Kim_Hamilton on 07/24/2009 11:20 AM
Updated by: Kim_Hamilton on 08/04/2009 12:40 PM
Expires: 01/01/2014 12:00 AM
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Statement of Ed Rich Candidate for re-election as Director CCWD District 4 ~Updated with Video Interview!
Copperopolis, CA..."I have been a permanent resident of Copperopolis for 12 years after having had a summer home on Lake Tulloch since the mid 1970’s. We relocated our family here because we loved the rural community atmosphere and decided to quit our jobs and start anew. My wife Susan, of 40 years developed her own business in Angels Camp and in 1994 I started Calaveras Olive Oil Company. We have 2 sons both graduates of Brete Harte High School. I served in Vietnam in the US Navy in the river forces as a Lieutenant Commander. I...
currently service as a Director on the Calaveras County mental health board, founded and was the first President of Calaveras Grown (an organization dedicated to advancing boutique agriculture in the foothills), and was a former planning commissioner and former director of the chamber of commerce. I was first elected to CCWD in 2004 and have focused on getting more of all of our water resources, raw and recycled, to more people and to help keep this vital resource in the County. My assessment and priorities are as follows:
RATES: Water and sewer rates are too high. Some due to inefficiencies but in large due to the small size of the populations served. There are 13 different service districts all duplicating equipment and operations spreading the cost to too few people. Where possible “regional” districts need to be formed to get economies of scale and establishing new cooperative relationships.
PROTECTING OUR WATER RIGHTS: The water we use is owned by the State we just have renewable reservations entitling us to use it. Unfortunately urban areas demands for water are increasing so unless we develop plans to show we can use more we risk losing some. State law specifically prohibits the “hoarding” of water.
UTILIZING ALL OF OUR WATER: I have championed the concept of requiring “dual” pipe systems in future develops and expanding non-potable,” purple” systems to golf courses and agriculture. Both raw water and recycled water use needs to be maximized both for the obvious cost reason but also because increasing the customer paying for them produces new revenues. In my fist year I contacted virtually every winery most of which indicated they would expand if they could get more water.
CHALLENGES AHEAD: I don’t believe CCWD can go backwards to the old days of unresponsive bureaucracy, shortsighted planning or self serving directors. In order to meet the future needs of all of the residence of this County CCWD needs to become a leader and a resource. We must develop expertise and look toward cutting edge methods (like bio-filters and ground water recharge) that help us get entitlements or generate fees beyond our mere size and customary operations.
THREATS TO CCWD: Going back to cronyism and self interest in policy making. Director don’t micromanage when the hold the agency or general manager to new standard or future directions. CCWD was chartered in 1948 by a vote of everyone in the County, including the residents of the incorporated City of Angels, to “buy water rights and develop water work” for everyone. For a small County regarding issues of water and sewer there is more strength in unity. I am deeply disappointed the “go it alone”, adversarial stance adopted by Murphy’s/Angels/and UPA Angel’s in it recent law suit to take control of surplus water they cant demonstrate they can use and wasting public funds on a strategy that is contrary to the trends and directions outlined by the state."
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