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Letter: Are San Miguel CSD candidates who they say they are? 

To the editor,

With the election only a few weeks away, it’s more important than ever to know who you’re voting for. In San Miguel, there has been much said about the current board members and as a board member who was appointed less than a year ago, I still feel like I’m part of the ‘New Guard’ ready to take San Miguel into the future responsibly. My goals are to provide fiscal responsibility, district transparency, enhance public safety, develop community services, events and activities as well as beautify and revitalize the community of San Miguel.

My record while Community Services District Board Director has shown that the community’s best interests are at the core of my thoughts when making any decision on behalf of San Miguel. I am, and have been committed to our community since I moved to San Miguel. I attended a CSD meeting the very first month that I lived in the community and have been to every meeting since. When the previous Director Larry Rueck gave up his seat on the board, I volunteered and interviewed for the position. Having been on the board since January 2018, I have been there working hard for San Miguel and doing my best to ensure the principles I believe in and my experience and qualifications are used to make San Miguel a better place to live, work and visit.

Hector Palafox and Cesar Hernandez are also running for seats on the San Miguel Community Services District Board of Directors. They have both stated in social media and in previous letters to the editors that they intend to serve the community. My concern and the concern that should be expressed by all residents of San Miguel is that neither candidate has attended board meetings. A reasonable person interested in serving their community would attend at least one meeting prior to announcing their candidacy to introduce themselves to the Board of Directors and the community. It would be an ideal time to get to know the individuals running and would provide an opportunity to present any experience and qualifications to the other board directors and the community that would be relevant to the position they were seeking.

This would serve to instill confidence that they have the necessary skills, qualifications, and experience needed to make educated and responsible decisions for the entire community. Unfortunately, this has not happened. Neither candidate has appeared at a board meeting, nor have they offered no response on several community based social media outlets when asked, “Who are Hector Palafox and Cesar Hernandez?” Not everyone is on social media, but certainly an appearance at a board meeting to introduce yourself as a candidate isn’t too much to ask, and certainly deserved by the community. Beyond that, it produces a feeling of collusion when the only responses on all community based social media outlets regarding both candidates are answered by another current board director who for the sake of transparency, accountability and fair election practices, should not be answering on behalf of other candidates.

One of the biggest topics of discussion regarding the current board of directors and the three current candidates surround water and wastewater rates. Hector Palafox and Cesar Hernandez have both issued letters to the editor of this very publication stating that they were against the water and waste rate increase prior to the increases being approved by the Board of Directors and they continue to be unsupportive of these increases. However, over the course of the four months of discussion and no less than seven public meetings, neither candidate attended to take advantage of the opportunity to speak against the increase during the public comment period. So, both candidates state how important an issue this is to them, but no effort was made to voice their opinion at any time. This complacency does not demonstrate commitment to the community.

To make their case worse, the rate increase could have been stopped by the public had enough letters of protest been received from the community. Over a period of several months and with numerous public locations, both candidates had the choice to submit a protest letter showing they were committed to the community and the fight against the water rate increase. Neither took any action whatsoever and this inaction speaks volumes about what the community can expect if either candidate is elected. This shows no commitment or connection to the community at all. It’s also shameful that neither spoke out about a highly polarizing issue facing an entire community, especially when action would likely have had an effect on the outcome of the process.

The water and wastewater rate increase was and continues to be a hot button issue and discussion continues to this day amongst the community, staff, and Board of Directors. Again, the rates had not been raised for ten previous years and the water and wastewater departments had been running in deficit for years. Not passing an increase would have been detrimental for the community. With continued deficit in delivery of water and processing of wastewater, the result would eventually have been catastrophic for San Miguel. We’re on the right path now and all current board members have expressed willingness to review the rates and adjust up or down to ensure the rates for both water and wastewater are fair for ratepayers and sustainable for the community. I’ll ensure the rates are looked at and be vocal to the Board on this matter. I’m committed to San Miguel and will use action and my voice to ensure we’re accountable and transparent, especially on issues regarding utility rate increases felt by all community members.

Once again, as the other candidates have confirmed, I do have the experience and qualifications to effectively perform and excel in all duties as a CSD Director. But it isn’t just experience and qualifications that matter. The best-suited candidate will be committed to San Miguel and will show this through actions and voicing the needs of the community. I have done this from the first meeting I attended during my first month living in San Miguel. I will continue to demonstrate my commitment to San Miguel as long as I’m given the privilege to serve the Community.

I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to be a part of making our community a better place and moving San Miguel forward responsibly. I humbly and respectfully ask for your Vote November 6, 2018.

Ashley Sangster
Current San Miguel CSD Board Director and Candidate

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