Here is an interview with Hal Martin who is running for Vallecitos Water District Board. Councilman Martin terms out of his Council seat in December after 16 years in city office. *Editors note we sent Mr. Martin the San Marcos City Council questions by mistake, we felt his answer where important for San Elijo Hills to read, and some are relevant to Vallecitos Water District.
Why should the residents in San Elijo Hills vote for you?
While on the Planning Commission and then later on the City Council we approved the San Elijo Hills Master Plan. Since 1997 I have supported the development of San Elijo Hills. If elected to the Vallecitos Water Board, I will fight hard to curtail water rate and fee hikes, which will help to build equity in homes by saving homeowners money, which can be reinvested in their homes.
How can you help solve school crowding issues in San Elijo Hills?
How can the council help address aggressive cut through traffic and school traffic in San Elijo Hills?
Aggressive traffic in San Elijo Hills can be helped with an increased visual sheriff presence and enforcement of current traffic laws.
How can the city of San Marcos work with San Elijo Development to complete the San Elijo Hills Town Center?
The Council has worked with San Elijo Hills’ development to prevent the conversion of commercial to residential. I am firmly committed to supporting the future commercial building expansion in San Elijo Hills.
What are your goals to improve the quality of life in San Marcos, such as events, parks, and trails?
The City is aggressively looking for a significant event. We are working with other groups and non-profit organizations to find an event that will benefit the entire community. I have also worked to expand parks in San Elijo Hills by expanding the South Lake area and by working to expand sports fields for the residents.
If elected what are the top 3 issues you would focus on for San Elijo Hills?
The top 3 issues I will focus on as a Vallecitos Water Board member are the following;
1. I will work to lower water rates and fees
2. I will reduce San Marcos’ dependence on imported water.
3. I will fight hard to implement policies building San Marcos’ water infrastructure by utilizing desalinization, reclamation, and water recycling.
In fairness, San Elijo Life must now ask the incumbent, Darrell Gentry, questions about the election. A lot of Mr. Martin’s, as candidate for Vallecitos Division 5 seat are false and claims are false. I have the facts and am running a campaign based on a proven record, not as a career politician looking for another political job.
Darrell Gentry
What mr. Martin doesn’t know about he doesn’t know is enormous when it comes to water and sewer systems. Water rates are set based on cost of water and capital facilities in the system, not artificial and false campaign promises of another politician looking for another political position.
There are no pension benefits for elected Board members. CalPers, a separate organization, managed all public service employee pensions and sets the rules, NOT Vallecitos Water Board.
We have and are looking at all possible means and sources to provide reliable water to all Vallecitos customers, such as ocean desal water and other local new water sources. Sources that haven’t been available to VWD until now b/c such sources have been cost infeasible. Something opponent refuses to acknowledge b/c what he doesn’t know about what he doesn’t know is tremendous. In water, Experience counts; Inexperience costs you and I money!!
Darrell-We look forward to your responses.