Q&A With EVMWD Board of Directors Member Judy Gugliemana

Here is a blog based on the conversation I had with EVMWD Board Member Judy G who is running for reelection this November 4th for District 3.

WR: The key issue for homeowners is rate increases, what’s your stance on rate increases?
JG: I can’t say “we’re not going to have a rate increase” because it’s supply and demand. We are trying to create more water resources of our own so we don’t have to buy as much water. When we have to increase water rates it’s when we have to buy more water. We have to pay what Met charges. I’m not for rate increases—ever, but [sometimes] it’s absolutely necessary. We have to pay the going rate, which is based on the scarcity of water.

WR: Tell me what prop 218 means in reference to rate increases.
JG: Prop 218 was passed about nine years ago, and that’s where you have to go out and notify the public about a rate increase. There is a public hearing, so that the public can voice their opinions. If you have more than 2/3 of the people come back with an objection that can stop the increase. It’s basically a notification to all ratepayers that rates are about to be raised.

WR: With our draught conditions, tell me about rationing and fines.
JG: We’re in stage 2 of a draught.There is a possibility of fines in stage 2 if you’re found to be very wasteful. If they [inspectors] go by and you’ve got your sprinklers going and running down the street. There is a warning period that you get, then there’s a second warning, then there’s a notice that goes out.

WR: What makes you the best candidate on the ballot?
JG: Years worth of experience. I don’t have any axes to grind. I’m there for the rate payer. I’ve worked hard to restructure the water district to make us one of the top ten agencies in the state. Something I’m very proud of, the fact that we are one of the top ten agencies in AQUA, this includes the whole state of California.

We have come up with things that are innovative. Ideas that have been copied [by other districts]. People come to us and ask us to do workshops. One of the things that have been copied is tiered rates. We’re one of the very first to use tiered rates.

It’s taken a lot of years of hard work. I try to keep very active, I try to keep within the community, I try to keep my ear to the ground to hear what the people, the ratepayers, are looking for. Can’t make any promises. All I can do is represent them the best way I can, and listen [to them]. Get their ideas conveyed to the powers that be, to the rest of the board, to the General Manager.

If somebody asks me a question, I find the answer. It may not be the answer they wanted, but I get back to them with the answer.

WR: You mentioned that you never were an employee of the water district, does that matter when it comes to being on the Board of Directors?
JG: My opponent is saying that he’s a Water Resource Specialist. Well that’s not what he did for the district. That was not his job for those years. He was an employee for the district for all of those years, but I don’t think that gave him anymore knowledge than what I have on the everyday workings of the District.

We need to find new water. We need to find new resources. As a board we’re doing that. I’m on the groundwater committee, I know all about where the groundwater—all the basins are. He, working for the district, probably wouldn’t have that same knowledge, only because that wasn’t his area of expertise.

I have a background in finance, and I’ve been a negotiator all my life. I don’t know how to go out and dig a hole, and I don’t know the inner workings of a meter, I’m not a technician. But I do know the workings of the Water District; what we need and how we need it. I don’t think he’s at an advantage [in board related duties] because he worked for us for 32 years.

Here’s is Judy’s contact info: Cell: (951) 318-6820 Email: mrsgugie@msn.com

Water water everywhere and not a drop to drink.
Wildomar Rap rolls with the tide and war eagles on occasion too.

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