| All candidates are in alphabetical order |
Water Policy |
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| Rudy Fischer | Karen Paull | |
| Do you support expansion of Pure Water Monterey advanced recycling plant as an alternative to Cal-Am's desalination plan? Why or why not? | I was the Board Chair for Monterey One Water when we approved this project and the construction was started. I am very much in favor of expanding this project if possible. | Yes, because it avoids environmental harm, costs much less, and does not impose another industrial site on the City of Marina. The Expansion can provide enough new water to meet the region's needs for about 30 years. It is more likely to be successfully completed and can become operational more quickly than the desal plant. |
| What other specific proposals do you support to ensure your community can meet its water demands without increasing the overdraft of the County's groundwater aquifers or violating the SWRCB's Cease and Desist Order regarding taking water from the Carmel River? | The Monterey Peninsula Water Management District should, as much as possible, raise and spend the money to improv their own Aquifer Storage and Recovery project AND the Pure Water Monterey project. We must do whatever we can to ensure we have a secure and sufficient supply of affordable water for Monterey Peninsula residents, reduce our reliance on the Carmel River, and get out from under the state's CDO. | I support continuing successful programs that help customers use water more efficiently. Voters may not know that the first phase of Pure Water Monterey (PWM) will provide enough new water to stop overdrafting from the Carmel River. In fact, General Manager of the MPWMD, Dave Stoldt, recently reported that the water we have now from all sources combined is enough to stop overdrafting from the Carmel River and comply with the Cease and Desist Order (CDO). The PWM Expansion will provide enough new water to lift the moratorium on new connections and meet the regions's growth needs. The water recycling program also helps replenish the Seaside Basin aquifer. |
| Did you support Measure J, which requires that the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District (MPWMD) adopt a policy of public ownership of the water system and, if feasible, buy the water system from Cal-Am? | Yes | Yes |
| The MPWMD has deemed the public takeover of Cal-Am feasible. Do you agree or disagree? If you disagree, why? | While it looks like the public takeover of Cal Am may be feasible, there is a lot that still has to happen before we really know what the total price will be. | The feasibility study determined that a public buyout is feasible within a purchase price range that was very wide. The high end of the price range used for purposes of that study is probably considerably higher than what the purchase price should be, but it was useful to consider a high-price scenario. This tells us that a buyout would benefit ratepayers even if we overpaid for the system, so it makes sense to pursue a buyout. We don't yet know what the actual purchase price will be. It will probably be determined in a legal proceeding called an "eminent domain" proceeding. Once we know what the price is, we will have to confirm that a buyout is feasible at that price. |
Leadership |
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| Rudy Fischer | Karen Paull | |
| If you are elected, what will be your top three priorities? | Work to improve the public water sources that are already available, Ensure we have the secure, stable, and reliable water sources we need for the Peninsula, evaluate whether (after we have all of the data) we can acquire Cal Am. | To provide a water supply for the Monterey Peninsula that is adequate, sustainable, and environmentally responsible, at the lowest possible cost to water customers. To make water more affordable over the long term. To put the needs of the community first in making decisions about our water. |
| What water policies would you champion for the community? | My main goal is to make sure the communities have the water to control their own futures. | We need to do everything we can to make water affordable for everyone, and to make water bills more reasonable. We also need to bring in a new water supply as quickly as possible, so people who have been waiting a long time for a new water connection can finally get one, and so we can meet the region's needs for more housing. To have affordable housing we have to have affordable water. |
| What accomplishments in your career or public service are you most proud of? | I spent eight years on the Pacific Grove City Council and five on the Monterey One Water Board of Directors (two as the Chair). In those positions I was part of the team that brought about successful water projects which are a benefit to the community. |
Standing up for ratepayers and consumers while I was an attorney for the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). Serving as Chief Counsel for the Office of Ratepayer Advocates at the CPUC. |
Background |
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| Rudy Fischer | Karen Paull | |
| Occupation | Retired VP of Administration and retired Management Analyst. | attorney |
| Years Lived in Area | 11 | 5 |
| Education | BA UC Berkeley, MSc. International Business, St. Mary's College, and certificate in business, law, and economics from Stanford University. | J.D., UC Hastings; equivalent of B.A., M.A. in history from University of Paris VII (France) |
| Experience | I have experience bringing projects to fruition and successful conclusion in the high tech industry, have managed a $20 million HOA reconstruction project, and have many years of experience on elected councils and boards - as well as on non-profit Boards of Directors. | Almost 6 years as staff attorney for the US Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit in San Francisco. 15 years as an attorney at the CPUC, including 4 as Chief Counsel for the Office of Ratepayer Advocates. Also have experience as a mediator. |