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Ross Valley voters offer varied approaches in water board race [The Marin Independent Journal, Novato, Calif.](Marin Independent Journal (CA) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Oct. 06--Voters in the Ross Valley will have distinct choices for the Marin Municipal Water District board as two candidates vie for one seat amid contentious issues involving the drought, water supply and herbicide use. Incumbent Liza Crosse of Woodacre and Fairfax Councilman Larry Bragman are seeking the Division 3 position on Nov. 4. The district represents the San Geronimo Valley, Canon Village, Village West, Fairfax, Hawthorne Hills, San Anselmo, Ross, portions of Larkspur, Greenbrae and Kentfield north of Corte Madera Creek, watershed land north of Fairfax-Bolinas Road and a small portion of San Rafael. Crosse, 55, an aide to Supervisor Steve Kinsey, said the district is doing well, but needs to look ahead to tackle critical issues. "The district is in very good shape and we are quietly doing what we need to do, which is to take care of the water," she said. "We are in good financial order and have caught up on maintenance and infrastructure. There is a lot to be proud of." But on drought and water supply: "We need to be better prepared for a multi-year drought. We will make it better, but need to determine how." To that end, Crosse said she remains open to desalination -- taking water from the bay and making it potable through osmosis technology -- and a plan under study that would deliver water from the East Bay via a pipeline across the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge. While stating conservation is "job one," she adds: "It would be irresponsible to close any opportunity." But her opponent, Bragman -- who calls the board "somewhat of an insider group" -- has done just that. He called a pipeline across the span "poor policy" and said any water Marin would receive would hurt the environment in the already struggling Delta. He also rejects desalination. He said it's time for Marin to make tough choices, including letting water-thirsty green vegetation go brown. "The way you end water waste is not to get more water, but ending the waste," said Bragman, 60, who wants to see an enhanced watershed management plan that would allow more water to flow into reservoirs. That would involve removing non-native plants that have sprung up in the watershed, but he is against using herbicides. "People do not want pesticides in the watershed," he said, adding conservation crews and intensive stewardship would help remove acres upon acres of broom. "Broom has to be managed, (it can't be) eradicated." Crosse remains open to controlling the invasives with herbicides. In August 2005 the water board suspended the use of herbicides, but has hinted limited use might be beneficial to reduce fire danger and to protect native species. "As a board member I have to have the science and information and a balance of public debate," said Crosse, who was appointed to the board 20 months ago to replace David Behar, who resigned because he moved out of the district. Bragman said that Crosse's job, as a county-employed aide to Kinsey, is "a practical conflict that I'm unencumbered with." Crosse bristled at the notion that there is a conflict. "I find it insulting and possibly even sexist to think that I can't think for myself," she said, noting she sought out an opinion from the state's Fair Political Practices Commission. That body ruled that receiving a salary from the county doesn't represent a conflict. "The overlap between the district and the county is minimal. The roles that we play are entirely different." Larry Bragman Age: 60 Occupation: Lawyer Education: Bachelor's degree from University of Pennsylvania in 1977, law degree from the University of San Francisco in 1980. Experience: Town Council member since 2003; Green Party member; chairman of the Ross Valley Paramedic Authority; director, Marin Telecommunications Agency; Board of Directors, Community Media Center of Marin; Fairfax representative to the Transportation Authority of Marin; member, Fairfax Tree Committee, Affordable Housing Subcommittee. ----Liza Crosse Age: 55 Occupation: Marin supervisor's aide Education: Attended the University of Sydney (Australia) from 1978-81. Experience: Chairwoman of the San Geronimo Valley Land Trust; member and board member of the San Geronimo Valley Community Center 2006-10; board member of the Cordell Marine Sanctuary Foundation; led the group that funded and built the San Geronimo Community Gym/Youth Center. Represented the county on Lagunitas Creek Technical Advisory Committee, Tomales Bay Watershed Council; served on the Marin Municipal Water District Water Rates Advisory Committee. ___ (c)2014 The Marin Independent Journal (Novato, Calif.) Visit The Marin Independent Journal (Novato, Calif.) at www.marinij.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |