The election of South County’s sole representative on the Santa
Clara Valley Water District board of directors pins a longtime
politician who knows most of Gilroy against a vintner who knows the
land and water system against a San Jose dentist who wants to give
back to his community.
The election of South County’s sole representative on the Santa Clara Valley Water District board of directors pins a longtime politician who knows most of Gilroy against a vintner who knows the land and water system against a San Jose dentist who wants to give back to his community.
The Morgan Hill, San Martin and Gilroy region has historically had two representatives on the board, an appointed South County director and elected representative. But, following a new law passed in 2009, the county’s district lines were redrawn so all seven directors are now elected positions.
The candidates are Don Gage, a supervisor on the Santa Clara County board for the last 14 years, Gilroy vintner and former candidate for county supervisor Tom Kruse and San Jose dentist Roberto Sepulveda, who has no political experience.
Rosemary Kamei and Cy Mann currently represent South County, though both will leave the district following the election. Kamei is not seeking any candidacy and Mann, who was appointed in February, is running for a seat on the Santa Clara County Board of Education.
Gage, 65, began with his first stint as an elected public servant on Gilroy’s city council from 1981 to 1991 and as mayor for six years until 1997. Prior to his move to politics, Gage worked for 30 years at IBM.
Gage said his knowledge of the innerworkings of government, as chair of the board of supervisors three times, is credence that he will serve the water district well, he said.
“There are a lot of problems on that board associated with working together and having common goals,” Gage said. But he will be a voice of reason if elected; “I have what it takes,” Gage said.
He listed his priorities as balancing the budget at the water district, creating transparency and restoring public trust.
Kruse, 71, has spent decade learning water systems, and since 1971, has served in a number of officers’ positions on the Santa Clara Valley Winegrowers’ Association, including president. He has served on the Santa Clara County Planning Commission, the San Martin Citizens Advisory Planning Board, and the county architectural and site approval committee.
He most recently made an unsuccessful bid for District 1 county supervisor, but did out-pace Gilroy City Councilman Peter Arellano in the election.
“I’ve always thought I can make a contribution to the water district, and you hear so many things over the years, let’s say suggestions, that they can be doing a better job. So I thought this is a first-hand opportunity to have a say in these matters,” Kruse said.
Kruse has said his goals if elected are to keep the creeks healthy and restoring them to their natural state when possible, providing clean, safe, potable water to all residents and managing the district funds in a responsible way, keeping constituents informed on issues.
Kruse’s winery sits on two acres with one active well that he takes care of “the best way I know how,” adding that his time on the Llagas Basin nitrate study committee was an effective piece done by the district that educated well owners and farmers about reducing the amount of fertilizer in the best interest of the agriculture and the water.
A newcomer to campaigning is Sepulveda, who has a private dentistry in San Jose – his home since 1961.
“Get involved” is preached again and again, Sepulveda said. “I want to do something more for my community.”
Without any political experience and likewise any motivations that would muddy his intentions, Sepulveda said after attending the water district board meetings and talking to his neighbors, a different direction was needed.
“It seems to me, they need some change, some fresh blood and new ideas. I got tired about hearing the same people running over and over again. So I thought at least I can try, and see what’s going on,” he said.
Sepulveda, 59, said he’s just an everyday guy who would carry out the wishes of the people. He listed his priorities as providing safe and reliable water, natural flood protection and maintaining healthy ecosystems.
“It’s our community and we all have to contribute to it,” Sepulveda said.
The water district sells water wholesale to companies, cities or individual well owners for distribution, while also acting as a flood protection agency and steward for its streams, creeks, underground aquifers and reservoirs. About 800 employees work for the district with a current budget of about $305 million annually. The district has been the subject of a Santa Clara County grand jury report that criticized the water district for overspending and poor financial management, and that it lacks oversight, transparency and accountability.
The deadline to request a vote-my-mail ballot is 5 p.m. today. Request a ballot at www.sccvote.org or call the Registrar of Voters at 866-430-8683.
