Election Statement for Sweetwater Springs Water District (SSWD) for the position of Director -- Gaylord R. Schaap

By Gaylord R. Schaap

I am completing my first four year term on the Board of Directors of the Sweetwater Springs Water District. I am currently the treasurer of the Monte Rio Chamber of Commerce and am a member of the Russian River Chamber as well. I am a life long river resident, having grown up in Monte Rio and currently residing in Guerneville. I have two sons attending Guerneville School and served three terms as a trustee of the Monte Rio Union School District. I am currently the general manager of the Northwood Golf Club in Monte Rio and operate an income tax preparation and financial consulting business in Guerneville. I have a strong background in business and marketing, having earned degrees from Sonoma State University, the University of California, and Stanford University.

2. Why am I running?

I am running for a second term to continue the direction the SSWD is headed. Our water district is facing two major challenges during the next four years. First we have to maintain the integrity and quality of our water supply. I encourage all of you to support candidates with strong environmental backgrounds and support the state and local ballot measures, especially the county open space measure, that will fund clean water and environmental safeguards. Secondly, we need to secure the funding that will protect and preserve the Russian River Watershed and our water system. Obtaining grants and low cost funding to finance the projected $ 10,000,000 in additional system upgrades is a very competitive process. Our district plans to go before the RRROC with specific construction projects that are in need of funding and that the district cannot fund on its own.

3. Low Income Property Owners:

I am genuinely concerned over the direction that our water rates are going and the impact that higher rates have on our residents with fixed incomes. Unfortunately the water costs the district what it costs to produce, and to subsidize reduced rates for low income property owners would mean balancing the budget at the expense of the remainder of our residential and commercial customers. My goal is to see that our district operates in and open and financially sound manner, and that our rates and service fees are fairly structured across the board so that everyone pays their fair share and not a penny more. I will support future efforts by the district to create a grant program whereby those who are unable to pay their water bill can obtain the funds to do so when the need arises.