Monterey Peninsula Water Management District

FY 2006-07 Budget: $8,422,200 | Population Within District: 112,000

MPWMD manages surface water from the Carmel River stored in San Clemente and Los Padres reservoirs, and ground water pumped from municipal and private wells in Carmel Valley and the Seaside Coastal Area.

Area Served: Carmel-by-the-Sea, Del-Rey Oaks, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Seaside, Sand City, Monterey Peninsula Airport District and portions of Unincorporated Monterey County including Pebble Beach and Carmel Valley.

THE CANDIDATES

>>Director Area 4, Vote for one

REGINA DOYLE

Age: 53

Occupation:

International Health Educator

Number of years in the district?

Attended Robert Down grade schoolthrough PGHS (class of ' 71); returned permanently in 2000 to Pacific Grove.

What are the top two issues facing the district?

Issue one: Augment the current water supply. Issue two: Recharge the Carmel River aquifer to stop environmental damage and prevent the Water Resources Control Board from imposing fines and penalties for overdrafts of the river; these two issues can both be addressed through a mixture of water reclamation, recycling, conservation and possibly the use of a desalination plant.

What issue flies under the radar of the current board or the public?

The fact that we live in a water-scarce, drought-prone area, and must manage water more responsibly.

What will you accomplish that your opponents cannot?

Establish bettercommunication with water users about our situation and keep them up to date about their options, and work with all parties to get a sustainable, cost-efficient new source of water.

What endorsements have you received, if any?

PACIFIC GROVE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS: Scott Miller, Lisa Bennett, Susan Nilmeier

CURRENT WATER BOARD DIRECTORS: Kristi Markey, Judi Lehman

FORMER WATER BOARD DIRECTORS: Patricia Bernardi, Kris Lindstrom, Alexander “Zan” Henson, Molly Erickson

POLITICAL ORGANIZATONS: The Sierra Club (California and Ventana Chapters), Citizens for Public Water, Carmel Area Democratic Women’s Luncheon Club, Green Party of Monterey

CIVIC-MINDED CITIZENS/FRIENDS/FAMILY: Bill Monning, Janice O'Brien, Melanie Billig, Barbara Livingston, Virdette L. Brumm, Robertson Parkman, Rita & John Dalessio, Michael Stamp, Bob Pacelli, Samuel Lipsky, Jane Parker, Pat Hergott, Don Slaiter, Tom Streeter, Norma Cocklin, Maxine Morris, Nancy McGraw, Charlsie Kelly, Peter Neumeier, Gillian Taylor, Craig & Rebecca Riddell, Kenneth & Natalie Wurzburger, David & Jane Firth, Clive Sanders, Larry Levine, Keith Tadler, Ellen & Russell Coile, Daniel & Patricia Linton, Dena & John Weber, Daniel & Susan Reith, Frances Grate, Katie Potter, Karin Strausser Kauffman, Keith Vandevere, Martha Diehl, Maryanne Spradling, Lance Monosoff, Jerry Loomis, Barbara Bass Evans, Robert Evans, Mike Weaver, Nancy Hauk, Suzanne McDonald, Kathy & Richard Hunter, Janis Higginbotham, Carolyn Lake, Phyllis Davies, Hugo & Karen Ferlito, Maritza Ravelo, Clemencia Macias, Pete Hill, Diana Dennis, Barbee Swofford, Deborah Lindsay, Bill & Joan Baumgardt, Martha Norton, Chris Fitz, Mike & Carole Dawson, George & Judy Riley, Rod & Anne Mills, Hal Bingaman, Max Chaplin, Barbara Thomas, Steve & Beverly Bean, Joe & Diane Venturini, Bob & Evelyn Zaches Larson, Bill & Carol Garrett, Len & Erline Baine, Margaret McHugh, Joanne McCluskey, Susan Davis, Carole January Erickson, Fred Wildenradt, Ted Hunter, Jacqueline Smith, Nada Kovalik, Bruce Delgado, Lisa & Tom Hoivik, Jean Esary, Mildred & Valleau Price, Pat Hensley

How much will you raise and spend on your campaign?

Over $5,000 so far (more contributions coming in).

Who is your largest donor?

My parents, Dan and Susan Reith.

What are your thoughts about Cal Am’s proposed desal plant in Moss Landing?

Until we know how much Cal Am’s water is going to cost us, it is not possible to make serious judgments on their project. Once we have this information (or at least reasonable estimates), we can determine if this is the best option regarding cost, environmental impact and long-term solutions.

Do you support the public ownership of the water company?

I definitely would support public ownership if the people of the Peninsula wanted it.

What is your water-related background?

In my 22+ years in health education and emergency work in Peace Corps, UN Volunteers, UNICEF and as consultant to other international organizations, I know howimportant water is, especially since my husband is an international water engineer. My and my husband’s work together were important to improving people’s lives.

How do you conserve water in your home?

Take short showers (don’t use the bath) and skip showers on inactive days; keep a bucket in the shower and save the first gallons of cold water for flushing; don’t use the dishwasher unless we have company; turn the tap off between dish rinsing dishes, vegetables, teeth, etc.; save “gray” dishwater for the garden or the compost bin; only do laundry when load is large; water garden twice a week on voluntary water saving days/times using hand held nozzle (don’t water when there has been heavy fog or drizzle); hang towels out in sun (when there is any in PG) to make them last longer between washes; wash the car very infrequently (once or twice a month).

How long does it take you to shower?

Less than 5 minutes (including shampoo time).

Lee Yarborough didn’t respond to the Weekly’s questionnaire.

>>Director Area 5, Vote for one

ROBERT “BOB” S. BROWER, SR. [AE]

Age: 58

Occupation: Wine Estate owner (Agricultural Businessman)

Number of years in the district?

27 years in the district

What are the top two issues facing the district?

Issue one: We need a renewal, replaceable water supply. Fix: I will push towards a desal plant operated by the utilities or by the district itself.

Issue two: We need to stop the taking of water from the Carmel Valley Watershed and protect the steelhead and other endangered species in the Carmel Valley River basin. Fix: In addition to the desal plant I will push for recycled water as part of our solution.

What issue flies under the radar of the current board or the public?

Missed opportunities to recycle water. We recycle many other items in our life and have failed to do much in the way of treating water as the precious resource that it is.

What will you accomplish that your opponent cannot?

My opponent represents the Sierra Club and its interests. I will push hard for action. We do not need much time for additional studies (that my opponent requests). We need action. Over 7,500 desal plants are in operation around the world. Let’s get ours built.

What endorsements have you received, if any?

Mike Kanalakis

David Pendergrass

Monterey County Hospitality Assoc.

Robyn & Ken Rauh

Rene Boskoff

Monterey County Business PAC

Larry Foy

Michele Knight

Frank Knight

Rich and Demi Briscoe

Anthony Aniello

Bobbie Hall

Vince Frumkin

John Mahoney

Mary J. Clapper

Dennis R. Horn

Kent & Connie Nelson

Ken White

Monterey County Board of Realtors

Daniel and Vonda Tibbits

Harvey Kraftzeck

Ralph Rubio

Nicholas & Sharon Wood

John & Marion Robotti

How much will you raise and spend on your campaign?

Campaign funding is expected to exceed $25k. Expenses will be in line with amounts raised.

Who is your largest donor?

Largest donor is the Monterey County Business PAC.

What are your thoughts about Cal Am’s proposed desal plant in Moss Landing?

Build it ASAP.

Do you support the public ownership of the water company?

No, I would support public ownership of a desal plant.

What is your water-related background?

I have followed water politics, in the west, since we arrived here 27 years ago.

How do you conserve water in your home?

We have all fixtures replaced with low flow fixtures and recycle water whenever we can.

How long does it take you to shower?

Not long enough!

LANCE MONOSOFF

Age: 52

Occupation: Property manager, real estate broker

Number of years in the district?

22

What are the top two issues facing the district?

Issue one: We must replace the water that California American Water Company is illegally pumping from the Carmel River with a new water source. I favor a small desalination plant that, if economically feasible, would be owned by the ratepayers.

Issue two: We must implement programs to help conserve more water. This might include programs that collect storm runoff water that is currently going directly into the ocean, use grey water for certain household uses, use recycled water to recharge our aquifer, and collect and store rain water in cisterns.

What issue flies under the radar of the current board or the public?

Should current residents pay for a large desalination plant that would produce water for large-scale development? I believe we should build a plant sized to offset the amount of water Cal-Am Water is illegally pumping out of the Carmel River.

What will you accomplish that your opponents cannot?

I do not represent the tourist industry. My opponent does. My loyalty, first, last and always is to our current residents.

What endorsements have you received, if any?

I am endorsed by the following organizations, The Sierra Club, Carmel Area Democratic Women’s Luncheon Club, Carmel Valley Association, Carmel Valley Women’s Network, Citizens For Public Water.

Individuals who have endorsed me are former Assembly Speaker pro tem Fred Keeley, Bill Monning, current Water Board directors Kristi Markey and Judi Lehman; past Water Board Directors Zan Henson and Molly Erickson; Carmel River Advisory Committee members John Dalessio and Richard Rosenthal; Carmel Valley Association President Glenn Robinson; CV Forum President Max Chaplin; CV Land Use Advisory Committee Member Neil Agron; Sierra Club Ventana Chair Rita Dalessio; and community leaders Barbara Livingston, Robert E. Kohn, Gillian Taylor, Janice O’Brien, Robert Greenwood, Melanie and Harvey Billig, Martha Diehl, Milt Kegley, Chris Fitz, Jane Parker, Paula & Lee Lotz, Corky Matthews, Clayton & Linda Anderson, Rod & Anne Mills,Jeffrey Andrews, CV Chamber of Commerce, Randi Andrews, CV Chamber of Commerce, Paul Finnegan, Jacquelyn Smith, Margaret Pelikan, Tom Pelikan, Mark Jensen, Manuel G Fierro, Mike Weaver, Mike & Margaret Robbins, Mike Dawson, Barbara Bass Evans, George Riley, Keith Vandevere, Michael Robbinis, Todd Hornik, Donna Shore, Barbara Rainer, Brook Pfeiffer Ewoldsen, Jon Stufloten, Carol Jensen Root , Carl Polhammer, Martha Hogan, David Shin, JuneBug Cummings, Loraine L. Swiess, Thomas Burks, Molly Williams, Ross & Mary Green, Richard Dalsemer, Jim Stoddard, Dia Lynn, Frank O’Connell, John Sherman, Denise Adkins, Charlsie Kelly, Don Gruber, Mary Corey, Robin & Bonnie Way, Tim Smith, Reda Rackley, Gerry Wiles, Leslie Ellis, Alicia Simpson, Larry Levine, Jim Scholfield, Patricia Bernardi, Jim Schofield, Phil Butler, Barbara Babcock, Herb Davy, Mabelle Sailer, Doug Roesser, Katie Baum, Rachelle Davies, Sharon E. Christensen, Spring Nichols, Pam Baker, Mary Anne Teed Lloyd, Beth Fergon, Dianne Hardcastle, Suzie Garcia, Michael Houston, Sean Flavin, Merill Jones, Yvonne Kirkland, Stu Reynolds, Rob Eaton, Arden Eaton, Mike Delay, Sr., Vic & Shayna Selby

How much will you raise and spend on your campaign?

I’ve raised just under $4,000.

Who is your largest donor?

The largest donor has been the Carmel Valley Association.

What are your thoughts about Cal Am’s proposed desal plant in Moss Landing?

I favor a small desalination plant that provides sufficient water for current residents and owners of lots of record. Cal Am Water receives a guaranteed profit of between 8 to 12 percent based on what the company is worth. The more Cal Am is valued, the more money they make from us, the ratepayers. If Cal Am has a choice of building a small desalination plant or a large one, they will chose the larger one which would increase the value of the company, resulting in the ratepayers paying more.

Do you support the public ownership of the water company?

A few years ago, there was a proposal to charge each household a one-time fee of $14 to pay for a study to see about the feasibility of the public buying Cal Am. Although Cal Am spent $300,000 to defeat this on the ballot, one out of three voters voted for the study. I believe a study should be done to see how much it would cost the public to buy Cal Am. If another company is interested in buying Cal Am, why shouldn’t we? In addition, if Cal Am was owned by the public, the ratepayers would save the 8 to 12 percent profit currently going into Cal Am’s pockets.

What is your water-related background?

In 1989 I moved next to the Carmel River. In 1995, I was flooded twice. Appointed to the Carmel Valley Flood Task Force also in 1995. Currently serve as Vice-Chair on CSA 50, a committee to advise the Monterey County Board of Supervisors on Lower Carmel River flood issues.

How do you conserve water in your home?

Recycle water. Adjusted downward my watering times and turn off my sprinklers whenever possible.

How long does it take you to shower?

About five minutes if I’m not singing.