Director, Division 1 — Vallecitos Water District

Betty Evans is a 36-year resident of San Marcos and has been a community leader and former member of the City of San Marcos Council from 1992 through 1996. During her tenure as a Council member she was a proponent for closing the San Marcos Landfill, formulating a policy on affordable housing, revitalizing the San Marcos Creek development and Richmar areas, and for San Marcos becoming a charter city. She also served on the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), North County Transit District and the League of California Cities as well as a few other subcommittees. Many of these achievements were built on a foundation of community involvement, which included co-founding Residents for a Rural Richland, Citizens for a Safe San Marcos and contributing to local Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, the Jr. Women’s Club, site improvement committees at local middle schools and high schools, Grad Nite and the San Marcos Historical Society. She holds a BA degree from California State University, Northridge and has worked as a teacher at Raggedy Ann and Andy, Richland Elementary and Woodland Park Elementary schools. Prior to that she taught in Merced, El Centro and Australia. Since 1982, Betty has been Co-owner and CFO of her husband’s business, GEC Incorporated. She and her husband Greg live in the Twin Oaks Valley. They have three grown children and five grandchildren.

Current Vallecitos Water District appointments:
• President, Vallecitos Water District – 2015
• Delegate Board of Director to San Diego County Water Authority – 2012 to current
     o Serving on Imported Water Committee – 2012 to current
     o Serving on Legislation, Conservation and Outreach – 2012-2014
     o Serve as Vice Chair, Water Planning Committee – 2014 to current
• ACWA/JPIA Delegate – 2012, Alternate 2013 to current
• CASA Delegate – 2012-2013, Alternate 2014 to current
• Council of Water Utilities Vice Chair - 2016

I selected the words “Experienced, Committed, Honest” to represent me as a person and as your representative.  Let me share why:

Experienced

Ratepayers will benefit from my extensive water experience.  During my four years serving the Board and as your delegate to the San Diego Water Authority, I have been directly involved with the opening of the Carlsbad Desalination Plant, negotiations with the Imperial Irrigation District, resolving litigations with the Metropolitan Water District, and successfully challenging the Governor’s conservation mandates.

I have worked alongside state and local representatives on five legislative round-tables focused on finding solutions to the region’s water needs.  Additionally, I served on the Imported Water and the Legislation, Conservation and Outreach Committees, and currently serve as Vice Chair of Water Planning. 

Not only have I learned a lot about water, I have built valuable working relationships with other agencies and stakeholders who are essential to the long term health of our district.  Please see the full list of endorsements at www.voteBettyEvans.com

I have the experience to look at complex issues as a citizen and a public servant and to stand up for YOU.

Committed 

Public service is difficult work.  The responsibilities are great and the pressures high.  I take my role as a public servant seriously.  I have made San Marcos my home for 37 years, raising my family here and managing contracts and finances for 32 years at GEC, Inc, the LUANN comic strip business my husband and I have grown.

As president and co-founder of Residents for a Rural Richland, I lead a membership of 200+ people to protect our community, successfully challenging developers and forcing them to adhere to the general plan.

I went on to represent our community on the San Marcos City Council for four years.  I understand the complexities of land-use decisions and negotiations, balancing budgets, and watching out for your interests.  Residents in Santa Fe Hills are continuing to benefit from the reduction in Mello Roos fees that I helped negotiate as a council woman.  My neighbors here in Twin Oaks Valley benefit from my active role in saving the Barn, establishing Heritage Park, and supporting the Equestrian Park at Walnut Grove.

In addition, I have shown my commitment to the community by

·      teaching at Richland Elementary, Woodland Park Elementary and the Raggedy Ann and Andy Preschool

·      10+ years leading Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops, 6 years directing and leading the Richland Talent Show

·      participating in Friends of Richland School, the Junior Women’s Club, Citizens for a Safe San Marcos and the President’s Club of CSUSM

·      supporting San Marcos Historical Society, Kids College, Charity Wings, Fortissimo, Boys & Girls Club, and AYSO.

Honest

Being honest with YOU means more than just telling the truth when asked.  It means being consistently honest in words, actions, and motives whether or not anyone is watching.  It means being accountable.  It means my decisions and actions are based on principles of knowledge, justice, and a belief in taking actions that are the most beneficial and responsible.  I won’t manipulate you with half-truths and unrealistic promises nor distract you with misinformation or half-researched statements to win your vote, your support, or your money.

Yes, I approved a rate increase recently.  You can read why at www.votebettyevans.com  But you should also know that I am the ONLY board member to vote against a 33% increase in per diems for Board members and other frivolous expenses.  I did not and do not support such practices - practices that do not benefit you.

A vote for me is a vote for Experience, Committment and Honesty.

Thank you.

Betty Evans

As a local businesswoman I have worked in the North County area for over 35 years and managed to stay in business because of my fiscal accountability.  This along with a strong work ethic and positive attitude toward my neighbors and friends have lead me to create two charities, 501(c)3,  in addition to working and serving on other charitable boards and starting a local newspaper.  

When I see a need or concern, I make it a priority to step up and fix it or bring attention to the problem for correction.    

HOME was started for this reason.  I learned of a small business owner who needed treatment for cancer and had no were to turn.  Helping Others More Efficiently was designed to help hardworking families who through no fault of their own are struggling through a crisis.  More information is available at helpingothersmore.org

Fireworks for Valley Center was another labor of love for Valley Center and Pauma Valley.  I wanted the community to enjoy a FREE family friendly event with slides, bouncy houses, games, food, and 4^th of July Fireworks to celebrate America.  Fireworks for Valley Center provided the opportunity for me to work with a multitude of volunteers, the fire department, water district, sheriff's department and volunteer sheriff's department along with CERT and many others.  

In 2012 I brought back the Times-Advocate.  After reserving the name, I worked with local writers to bring local news back to our community and sold the enterprise in December of 2015 to another fine local news publishing company.  The Times Advocate continues to publish local news to this day.  

My commitment to you if elected is to provide the same focused business minded effort to the Vallecitos Water District for the welfare of the ratepayer.   

Recently, the Vallecitos Water Board approved a rate increase that will raise your rates by 5% this coming year and 5% the following year. The vote to cap the increase for the third year was denied. Meaning, your increase in year three could be very high.  

As a local businesswoman with more than 30 years of experience, I understand the importance of balancing budgets and fiscal responsibility. If elected, I will guard your pocketbook by working with other Board members to manage costs and keep rates low for landowners, homeowners, renters, and agricultural customers. Each have water rights that must be protected.

As a 45 year resident of North County and 10 year resident of the Twin Oaks Community, I recognize the challenges facing the Vallecitos Water District, and will fight to create a plan that develops emerging water resources to prevent future rate increases.  

I believe in a structured, long-term planning approach that will keep the Vallecitos Water District operating efficiently for years to come.

I look forward to earning your vote and representing your interests on the Vallecitos Water Board.

Please feel free to call me with any questions or ideas.  760-670-7062