Issues

Support the Watershed Education Grant Program, which helps build the next generation of environmental stewards by funding educational projects that engage the local community and deepen understanding of the San Lorenzo River watershed. Identify and engage community partners to help achieve District priorities. Support staff in expanding community outreach efforts to increase public participation and awareness of District projects, plans, and services.

SLVWD has faced staffing shortages and recruitment challenges in the past. While the District has recently filled key positions, it is important to now focus on strategies that improve staff retention. Strengthening retention will ensure the District maintains the personnel needed to perform critical work while preserving valuable institutional knowledge.

Communication is an area of ongoing opportunity for improvement at SLVWD. No single method of communication is sufficient to reach all members of the community. The District should utilize a multi-channel communication approach that includes timely updates on emergencies and water outages, planned construction and potential impacts to customers, public service announcements, and broader public outreach that highlights the positive work being done at SLVWD.

The CZU fire has taught us that we must always be ready for the next wildfire or other natural disaster threat.  I will encourage collaboration with CalFire and local fire districts on preparedness,  communication, and rapid response to fires to protect critical water infrastructure.  I will support increasing public awareness of fire safety especially around critical water infrastructure and for the protection of the watershed.

Maintaining the  water delivery infrastructure is critically important, and I will support the replacement and repair of aging tanks and the miles of pipes that traverse our mountains to bring water to our homes.  I will also support ongoing repairs to infrastructure damaged by fire, flood, and other natural disasters as well as  fire hardening of critical water insfrastructure to prevent future damage.