Melody Appleton is a candidate for CVSan Board in 2014. Castro Valley Matters reached out to each candidate, asking them to provide a statement.

CVSan is an innovative and extremely well managed district. We are committed to transparent governance and high quality service at the lowest possible rates. Our mission is to protect public health and the environment by providing wastewater and solid waste services.

Recent accomplishments:

• District Transparency Certificate of Excellence by the Special District Leadership Foundation in recognition of our outstanding efforts to promote transparency and good governance
• CSRMA’s Small Agency Workers’ Compensation Excellence Award
• Certificate of Recognition from the State Assembly for leadership in championing organic waste diversion and recycling, and our commitment to environmental sustainability, climate resiliency, and health and safety of all Californians

Fiscal Responsibility

CVSan’s internal controls and financials are reviewed annually by outside auditors. We consistently receive a clean report.

Solid Waste

We are leaders in diversion rates in Alameda County, and we provide a higher level of service than other districts including, weekly recycling pick-up, curbside battery pick-up, free pharmaceutical drop-off, bag-a-bag, and two times a year e-waste drop off. Our superior service is offered at competitive rates. And, we continue to innovate. The board recently adopted a progressive Zero Waste Strategic Plan and also established a goal of 90 percent diversion by 2029.

Wastewater

The board adheres to a fiscally prudent “pay-as-we-go” capital improvement policy. We have the second lowest wastewater rates in Alameda County. Our ridged controls help us prevent spills, costly fines and lawsuits that would otherwise have to be passed through to ratepayers.

Community Involvement

The Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) meets 10 times a year and weighs in on a myriad of agency issues. Many CAC members attend our board meetings.

We have model public outreach programs, such as the Green Ribbon Schools Program, where we train and certify Castro Valley schools in their efforts to “reduce, reuse, recycle and rot”.

Issues Facing the District

• Maintaining and upgrading infrastructure
• Tightening state water board regulations
• Renegotiation of our agreement with the East Bay Dischargers Authority
• Solid waste services for Canyonlands

I will work with my fellow board members to responsibly authorize maintenance and replacement of wastewater system assets. See our Sanitary Sewer Management Plan.

I will continue to educate myself about tightening regulations impacting the environment and our costs. I supported the Ecotone Demonstration Project with the Oro Loma Sanitary District. This project will help us learn about the effectiveness of using wetlands to polish wastewater discharge in a low cost, energy efficient, and environmentally sustainable method. It will also create an upland ecotone to restore elevation and salinity gradients that are missing in many parts of the Bay and act as a buffer to waves and sea level rise at costs significantly lower than traditional levee designs.

As a board member, I will work on behalf of our ratepayers to ensure the new agreement with EBDA is fair to Castro Valley, given the size of our district. As a board, we have been and will continue to work with the County to find a solution to provide the Canyonlands with solid waste services. I will continue to stay current on all of the issues in our industry.

My Public Interest and Experience

When voting for your representative for the board, it’s important to consider a candidate’s motivation for running. I have no self-interest in running for this board. My motivation is my desire to serve the public interest and have a positive impact on my local community.

I have experience in business, marketing, and communications. I have managed staff and budgets. I have two years of experience on the CVSan board. My fellow board members endorse me, as does the majority of the CAC.

My top three priorities as a board member are ensuring public health, protecting the environment, and independent representation of all ratepayers. I am committed to mitigating the use of potentially harmful chemicals in the wastewater system and ensuring our rate structures are fair to everyone. Learn more at melodyappleton.us.

Our current board is extremely qualified. We take the entire community into consideration when reaching decisions. We are prepared for the challenges ahead, and I am excited to continue this work on your behalf. I would appreciate your vote on November 4^th.