Editor:

I, Walter MacVittie, formally announce my candidacy for the position of director on the Town of Discovery Bay Community Services District (DBCSD).

I look forward to continuing my approximately 14 years of community leadership representing Discovery Bay and East Contra Costa County. In the past I have represented Discovery Bay on various boards and commissions. I was an elected member of the Discovery Bay Municipal Advisory Council (four years), appointed to the East County Regional Planning Commission (10 years), TRANSPLAN commissioner (nine years) and East Contra Costa Fire Protection Transitional Advisory commissioner (one year).

Through the various positions, I have worked on many of the issues that are currently facing the DBCSD. I have also consistently attended DBCSD meetings since the formation in 1997. Therefore, I have a working knowledge of the issues that would allow an immediate transition as a director.

Even though I live in the older part of Discovery Bay, I have a grasp of the whole community based on my past commission responsibilities. Through these commissions I have an understanding of issues in Centex, Discovery Bay West, Ravenwoods and the surrounding areas. I was appointed by the DBCSD to the sewage spill sub-committee that occurred in the Lakes. On regional issues I understand the impacts on Discovery Bay regarding transportation issues, having served on TRANSPLAN; development issues having served on the Planning Commission; and problems of the current fire district station closures from being a past fire commissioner.

Why am I interested in running for DBCSD? After the years I have represented Discovery Bay on the regional commissions I am free of conflict of the commissions to serve on the CSD. Through years of observing the district, I have been concerned with the style and way our district has been operating. It has not been run as professionally and financially conservatively as it should be. As a management business professional, I believe I can assist the district to become more organized, structured, assist with process development, streamline board meetings, and firm up the financial integrity of the district.

The budget of the district is a particular concern, as we are required to pay a 9-percent rate increase in our water and sewer rates next year due to an operating budget increase of 26.7 percent over last year. The budget was approved cutting only a few line items of only $19,000 and approving almost every line item increase totaling almost $800,000. Directors must maintain the integrity of our water and sewer system at the same time keeping the operating costs and rates down. I pledge as a director I will not approve expenditures that fall outside the budget without full discussion of budget impacts.

I have experience as a team member on boards. I will work with the board to tone down the discourse that has been present during the past few years. I know what it takes to work together to get things done, even when not everyone agrees.

Let us all work for a better Discovery Bay with accountability and accessibility to the people.

Walter MacVittie, Discovery Bay