Candidate for
Board of Directors; Castaic Lake Water Agency; Division 3

I believe that water, our most basic resource, should be held in sacred trust for all people. Water should not become a commodity sold to the highest bidder. We should be stewards of this life-giving necessity. The Castaic Lake Water Agency (CLWA) must guard and protect our water to make sure there will be enough for future generations.

I believe the most important elected office in Santa Clarita is that of Director of the Castaic Lake Water Agency (CLWA). This board holds your quality of life, your future and your health in their hands. Because I am very concerned about what is happening in our Valley, I am a candidate for the CLWA Board, Division 3. I believe that we are faced with runaway growth spurred on by developer interests and supported by the current CLWA board. I believe our citizens should control growth, not developers who are only interested in financial gain. The current CLWA board manages our Valley's water supply so that developer interests reap the profits while burdening our citizens with the costs. Growth promoted by our developer-controlled water board has resulted in environmental degradation, traffic gridlock, the worst air quality in the nations, which leads to rising asthma and cancer rates, overtaxed infrastructure and a declining quality of life in our Valley. Most importantly, I believe that we must be stewards of our commons. Water is a finite, public resource and should not be controlled for private profit. We must consider the needs of future generations and be wise in our use of this basic necessity.

I pledge I will never take money from developer interests. I will represent the citizens of our Valley. I will be thoroughly versed in water availability and water quality issues. I will elicit feedback about water issues through the formation of a citizen's council and will be available to groups and individuals in my district. I will educate residents about water availability and quality issues. I will make decisions based on what is best for our citizens, our environment, our health and our children's future. The current Board has been remiss in the formation of a Watershed Council needed to apply for grants. I pledge to work to form this council. I will make sure that CLWA follows the "Show me the water" law which mandates that there is a proven source of water before housing developments with more than 500 houses are built. Most importantly I will be conservative, prudent and realistic when interpreting water availability reports.

I have been a health care professional for 38 years and hold a Master's Degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. Currently I am the Chair of the $CV Clean Money for Better Government Committee, a local non-partisan group dedicated to ending the stranglehold and corruption of special interest money on politics in every level of government. We are working for the passage of Prop.89, the "Clean Money" proposition placed on the ballot by the California nurses. I am an environmental and social justice activist and have the endorsement of Sierra Club.

It is time to put the people back into the driver's seat. The incumbents report over 90% of their campaign contributions coming from developer interests. In the 2004 election the Division 3 incumbent running outspent his opponent 42 to 1. I pledge I will always work for you. Your contributions to my campaign will be greatly appreciated. Please vote for me on November 7th.