Many of you know me as the coordinator of the Rio Linda Sheriff’s Annex that was opened in 1997. Some of you know me because I often write community interest articles in the Rio Linda Elverta News (I write because I want to, and I am not paid by the News).  Others know me because my wife Jan and I have lived in the Community for 39 years.

I’m concerned about the Rio Linda / Elverta Community Water District and I would like your help. We are saddled with a dry, useless, $4 million pipeline.  This pipeline doesn’t even reach our district.  It’s the result of a bad decision made in 1994 by four Directors on the Water District Board.   Fortunately, three of those four Directors have been replaced with three new Directors who put your interests first.

One new Director who puts your interests first is Chris Quackenbush, who is running for State Senate.  Chris, along with the other Water Board Directors, has been leading the way to help us recover from the “Northridge Pipeline” debt.  Chris has also demonstrated her effectiveness as a Community leader by forcing SAFCA to make changes in levees which otherwise would flood Rio Linda and Elverta. Chris is a vocal, effective representative and as our State Senator she will be even more so.  I’m proud to support Chris Quackenbush.

I’m running for the Water Board position that Chris Quackenbush is vacating.   I would appreciate your vote.  I am proud of this community and what it stands for.  I am proud of the two sons my wife Jan and I raised here with the help of the local schools.  The community has helped me to become successful.  Now that I’m retired, it’s time for me to give back to my community.  The four Directors who have never supported the pipeline, including Chris Quackenbush, have endorsed my bid for election.  If elected I will work as your representative to help untangle this mess. I strongly opposed the pipeline in 1994, but my words at that time had no effect.

Northridge sold us a bill of goods.  They have raised the cost to $6 million! Our Water District is now in the process of suing Northridge. Once the suits were filed, Northridge, through LAFCO, even tried to silence us by taking over our Water District!  Your Water Board Directors must continue to give firm support to these legal actions.

The good news is that we are negotiating with Arcade Water District.  Arcade may buy our district’s interest in the pipeline, which they could use to their advantage.  If we win the lawsuits or sell to Arcade, the present $5 rate stabilization (STAB) charge on water bills can be reduced or eliminated.  If we aren’t successful, water rates could increase up to $120/yr to pay for the bad decision made in 1994. I support the ongoing negotiations with Arcade and I will work to make them successful.

We don’t need more Directors who have conflicts of interest! Two of the 1994 Directors who voted for the pipeline were employees of other water agencies.  Fortunately, Directors who are not in the water business have replaced them.

My opponent is an employee of Arcade Water District.  He has a built-in conflict of interest.  I will be able to vote on all issues, as I have no conflicts of interest.

My Promise to you: If elected I will see that you’re informed about all public improvement and private development projects.  I call this “Project Alert”.  Using the project details received by the Water District, and with help from the other Directors, I will see that all projects in the district are reported to you.  They will be reported in the District’s “Water Ways” newsletter, on the District’s web page, and in the Rio Linda Elverta News.

Coordination and Communication. You may have followed my efforts in opening the Sheriff’s Annex in early 1997. You may have read my community interest articles in the Rio Linda Elverta News. I will use these coordination and communication skills to help spread the word about all projects in our Community, not just ones that affect the Water District.  Wouldn’t it have been nice to learn about the deep drainage ditches dug by the County on Q Street before the schoolchildren had to walk in them?  This is just one example of how Project Alert can help everyone.

Qualifications: I retired in 1985 as Staff Manager after 30 years with Pacific Bell. I was privileged to be Pacific Telesis’ representative to Bell Labs and responsible for technical support to engineers throughout Pacific Bell. I was responsible as Corporate Project Manager for many multi-million dollar projects during my telephone career.  My wife and I published a worldwide monthly bulletin with over 4000 subscribers that we sold in 1995.  With wonderful support from the Community, I coordinated the construction of the Rio Linda Sheriff’s annex.  I served as chairman of the Community Services District Committee for the Chamber of Commerce and I look forward to creating a CSD with the Recreation and Parks District to benefit our Community. I have attended nearly every Water District Directors meeting for over a year and I understand all current District issues. I am ready to work for you.

Thank you for taking time to read this letter. We are at a critical time in this community, and your interest is appreciated.  Please support our efforts to represent you.  On November 3rd, vote for Jay O’Brien for Water Board and vote for Chris Quackenbush for State Senate.

Sincerely,

Jay and Sacramento County Sheriff Glen Craig cut the ribbon at the Rio Linda Sheriff's Annex.