Candidate for
Board Member; South Bay Irrigation District; Division 4

SOUTH BAY IRRIGATION DISTRICT 4 2014

TERESA "TERRY" THOMAS Microbiologist, Educator, Scientist

A Name You Can Trust

WATER GOALS, PRIORITIES, ACTIONS, ACHIEVEMENTS

We all need a healthy, reliable, safe, and affordable water supply. Water is the main resource for our quality of life, public health, economic progress and environmental sustainability. Water quality and availability are keys to our future global peace and security.

• Track Record of Integrity, Due Diligence, and Collaboration: A resident of Chula Vista and San Diego County, my public service included service on the Chula Vista Ethics Board, Resource Conservation Commission, International Friendship Commission, C. V. General Plan Update Steering Committee on which I represented the Environment, Open Space and Sustainable Development Steering Committee. I also represented the GPU Steering Committee on the CV San Diego Bayfront Master Plan Committee. My public service also included several terms on the SD County Solid Waste Hearing Panel, San Diego-Tijuana International Boundary and Water Commission Forum Board, and Founding Board of Chula Vista Charitable Foundation, and dedicated commitment to Sister Cities programs with Odawara, Kanagawa, Japan, Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico, Cebu City, Philippines, Yokohama, Japan, and Leon, Mexico. Was Sister Cities International 50th anniversary Distinction Honoree. As an elected member SD LAFCO Special Districts Advisory Board, current President South Bay Irrigation District and statewide service on ACWA Water Quality and Communications Committees, I have a track record representing residents, businesses, and stakeholders with integrity, fiscal responsibility, transparency, and due diligence.

• Priority Quality of Life, Community Economic / Environmental Health. My dedication is to my residential and business constituents and the whole community for the benefit of our quality of life, economic and environmental health, and working-together spirit through partnerships, educational programs, open communication at forums and service groups, beneficial demonstration programs and collaboration. I supported the Water Works Education Program (in advisory capacity) and the Water Conservation programs at Cuyamaca College which shows water smart, water-wise exhibits Visit http://www.thegarden.org We voted to supply part of the funding to get it off the ground and SWA still supports as a part of the board and as a model, very effective resources for our constituents and community. We also supported the model demonstrations and brochure in the area surrounding our Administration building on Garrett Avenue, Chula Vista. 91910

• My priorities are healthy water quality, affordability, and reliability: I support of increased water / energy efficiency / budget oversight and a five-year strategic plan coupled to metrics and work plan for customer service, operations, financial matters, and public education and outreach.

• I supported responsible Poseidon ocean desalination from day one. I sat through the 10 hour meetings as a part of the 9-water utility partnership to get it off the ground with the coastal commission etc. Then later I supported the request by SD County Water Authority to make it a part of the regional San Diego County need for local water supply and increased regional sustainability (reducing dependence on imported water) and signed over our 9-member partnership support role to C.W.A.

• I also supported our SWA Richard Reynolds Groundwater Desalination Plant Expansion and increase Security measures. This will increase our locally available water supply and also decreased dependence on imported water from the Metropolitan Water District or the Colorado River. Also, I fully supported the ongoing United States Geological Survey Research and other scientific research studies on our Groundwater System and how extensive it is and its functionality, flow, impacts, and dynamics on water quality, salinity, and natural purification, as well as brine disposal processes and mitigations. We also resolved a challenge by San Diego Water Utilities and they are also now involved in the expansion and some of the Groundwater desalination costs and benefits of increased reliability.

• Maintained infrastructure highly acclaimed very low leak record. Most water utilities nationwide enjoy hundreds of leaks a year. We have usually less than 10 a year. Awesome! We pay attention to the pipes and valves to prevent water leaks...but the few that get away may be due to a construction error or someone's accident. We do have our challenges, the hundred year old 36 inch pipe at our Sweetwater Reservoir sprung a leak and so we are in the multi-year process of planning that and redirecting the route to increase functionality and reduce costs (for another long term "life). Remember, the Sweetwater Dam was, at the time, the largest dam in the United States. So we have a history, as well as a caretaker role and gratitude to the original builders and innovators that put it in place.

• I support the use of Solar Energy at the Richard Reynolds plant and possible Hydroelectric Energy at SW Reservoir: The current proposals are showing the potential for a Returns on the Investment in each case that will benefit our energy costs budget and also contribute less to air pollution, climate change, and potentially provide community future financial benefit. See Agendas and Packets on http://www.sweetwater.org Voice replay of meetings.

• I voted against the water rate increases and plan several times. For your information, I voted against the recent water rate increase also. I was a part of the minority voting NO. On a number of occasions, I had publicly requested a new SWA consultant study be carried out for water rates that included greater consideration of the comprehensive valid readiness-to-serve costs shared by all of a particular category and respective meter-size (residents, businesses, etc.) and the rates for the water product used and a consideration of the allocation for certain categories of users such as coastal vs. inland location plus also geotechnical profile of the soil and land (see Public Policy Institute of California study).

I am also concerned about the impacts on air quality of the browning of lawns, dust, and agriculture areas, natural resources, gardens, our Chula Vista City of Trees reputation, and also impact on the pocketbook of lowest and average water users when they enter the next tier with its higher rate being applied to all the water supply used, state mandated rules, subsequent drought rates and the proposed fines for different levels drought impacted state mandates. Pleased to say a new consultant study will be occurring this year and I want to be there for that discussion and make sure your input (constituent and stakeholder) is involved in this process and improved outcome for water rates during normal times, as well as in drought challenged times. Am very proud to say that South Bay Irrigation District and the City of National City are among the lowest water users per capita in the state of California. We are the responsible water savers and need to be commended for that effort...not penalized. We have increased our customer service, education, and outreach efforts to the community to further save money.

• Sweetwater Authority and Staff are Award winning on your behalf. During my years of service, Sweetwater Authority received the Theodore Roosevelt Environmental Excellence award, the San Diego Science Alliance Educational Service award, and this year the California Special Districts Association Transparency Excellence Award and the Public Works award for Perdue Plant water quality Dissolved Air Flotation upgrade project, plus staff received American Water Works Association awards for Excellence of Service

• I support Local Environmental and Water Educational Programs: We were a part of the Burrowing Owl habitat expansion project and their successful habitat at Sweetwater Reservoir. My request to upgrade the content of the Sweetwater River Basin display at the Chula Vista Nature Center / Ocean Discovery Center is currently in progress. Water-wise efforts include support for grey water, storm-water, water reuse programs.
  As a proponent of long-range fiscally conservative and responsible strategic planning, community outreach, education and rebate programs that enhance economic, environmental, social and public health welfare. More info on the League of Women Voters web site http://www.smartvoter.org/ by searching south bay irrigation district 4 candidates.

My biographical link on that site gives much info on my experience, education, accomplishments, and innovative and collaboration partnerships over the years. I appreciate the honor and privilege of serving you for the upcoming term. Thank you for your support.

Philosophy Quote # 1 "When statesmen forsake their own private consciences for the sake of their public duties, they lead their country by a short route to chaos" Sir Thomas More, the patron saint of statesmen and politicians.

A Prayer to St. Thomas More

I pray, for the glory of God and in the pursuit of His justice, that I, with You, St. Thomas More, may be trustworthy with confidences, keen in study, accurate in analysis, correct in conclusion, able in argument, loyal to clients, honest with all, courteous to adversaries, ever attentive to conscience. Sit with me at my desk and listen with me to my clients' tales. Read with me in my library and stand always beside me so that today I shall not, to win a point, lose my soul.
Pray for me, and with me, that my family may find in me what Your family found in You: Friendship and courage, cheerfulness and charity, diligence in duties, counsel in adversity, patience in pain--their good servant, but God's first. Amen

Philosophy # 2 Cesar Chavez on Commitment

"...there has to be someone who is willing to do it, who is willing to take whatever risks are required. I don't think it can be done with money alone. The person has to be dedicated to the task. There has to be some other motivation." "Being of service is not enough. You must become a servant of the people. When you do, you can demand their commitment in return."

"Self dedication is a spiritual experience."

Cesar Chavez on Humanity

"Our conviction is that human life and limb are a very special possession given by God to man and that no one has the right to take that away, in any cause, however just..." "We are certain God's will is that all men share in the good things this earth produces."

"When a man or woman, young, or old, takes a place on the picket line for even a day or two, he will never be the same again. He has confirmed his own humanity. Through non-violence, he has confirmed the humanity of others."

"When the man who feeds the world by toiling in the fields is himself deprived of the basic rights of feeding, sheltering and caring for his own family, the whole community of man is sick."

Cesar Chavez on Education

"A word as to the education of the heart. We don't believe that this can be imparted through books; it can only be imparted through the loving touch of the teacher." "Real education should consist of drawing the goodness and the best out of our own students. What better books can there be than the book of humanity?"

Cesar Chavez on Community

"We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community...Our ambitions must be broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of others, for their sakes and for our own." "When we are really honest with ourselves we must admit that our lives are all that really belong to us. So, it how we use our lives that determines what kind of men we are. It is my deepest belief that only by giving our lives do we find life."

"When you have people together who believe in something very strongly - whether it's religion or politics or unions - things happen."

"You are never strong enough that you don't need help."

"The end of all education should surely be service to others."

"The end of all knowledge should surely be service to others."

"The end of all knowledge must be the building up of character."

"Years of misguided teaching have resulted in the destruction of the best in our society, in our cultures and in the environment."

Philosophy # 4 Martin Luther King

"I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. That is why right, temporarily defeated is stronger than evil triumphant."

Philosophy # 5 Terry Thomas

"There is a Creative Solution to Every Challenge."

"One Step at a Time Until You Reach Your Goal."

"Work Together."

"If you have a flat tire, pray to God to give your strength to change it be prepared with the tools in the trunk."

" When trying to make a quick decision, the SIMPLEST solution is usually the BEST solution ... Keep it Simple..."

Philosophy # 6 Picasso

" It takes a Very Long Time to Grow Young."

Philosophy # 7 Francis of Assisi Philosophy on Loving and Respecting Animals (all animals).

Philosophy # 8 Kahlil Gibran "On Friendship"