CHERYL
SUDDUTH
for WATER
CATALYST for CHANGE
“Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realise we cannot eat money.”
-Native American proverb
WATER is LIFE
Agua es la Vida
I Am...
As a Scientist and Negotiator who has closed deals from Silicon Valley to Paris, London, Munich, Sydney & Colombia to DC,
delivering solutions is one of the things I do best.
Whether through our fights to hold local companies and refineries accountable for the damage they have caused in polluting
our air, soil, water, food and the disparately harming our fenceline and frontline communities; or exposing the unsafe living
conditions in Richmond Public Housing which led to the ongoing battle to relocate residents to safe, clean affordable quality
housing with working water and sanitation systems; or one of the leaders of the successful advocacy to BAAQMD to pass
the nation's most stringent and health-protective air regulations and GHG reduction measures; or successfully lobbying local &
state governments to mandate use of renewable energy sources, fuels and energy-efficient or electric vehicles; or
successfully lobbying state & local organizations and government entities to incorporate non-meat (beef/pork) menus in official
meetings/events to underscore water scarcity and commitment to conservation; or helping to lead public education efforts; or
working on the Richmond and Oakland 'Resilient by Design' teams on ways to protect our shorelines from sea-level rise; or
travelling throughout California or the nation to be informed of conditions that impact communities in need of more resources
and opportunities to thrive - in all I do, I have endeavoured to keep the People's work foremost, realising it is always about the
People. Working in collaboration with other community leaders & organizations, labor groups, & systems operators, we have
been able to make so many transformative changes in our environmental, economic, educational, housing, health, & other systems
that reflect our collective values. There's still so much to do. Let's keep pressing...
I am…no comprado. no devuelto. inquebrantable. | unbought. unbeholden. unbreakable.
Leadership ~ Experience ~ Vision
“Building a Better Tomorrow Together”
My Why...
As a Mom and a Scientist, nothing brings me more pleasure than to be able to know that the work I do, the service I complete is of value to others – especially my community, and that, in some way am contributing the betterment of the environment for us and our children for many years to come.
“Service is the price we pay for our room here on Earth”
When I was young, I heard this Muhammad Ali quote about service. Later I would understand the meaning.
"We will be known forever by the tracks we leave." ~Dakota
I’m running for re‐election because the People of West County deserve a strong, passionate, bold leader and advocate for water quality and environmental issues on the Board, because I’ve been a proven effective leader and proactive advocate, because I have served the community well, and because water matters.
I am running for re-election because service is what I know. I have spent my life and career in service to the community. Whether on PTAs or Citizen Bond Oversight Committees, the NAACP, ACLU, Girl Scouts, Alliance 4 Girls, CinnamonGirl, Girls in Science, Racial Justice Coalition, working towards Criminal Legal transformation or fighting for Food Justice, Budget Justice, or Environmental Justice…
"No river can return to its source, yet all rivers must have a beginning." ~Tribe Unknown
I am running for re-election because I believe that water is going to be the single most important issue for years to come. Since joining the Board in December 2018, the West County Wastewater District (WCWD) has begun to see itself not only as a key role player in managing our region’s freshwater ecosystem (esp. used water and storm water), but also as a vital resource in helping West County to become more resilient in the face of climate change, to promote ways to remake our urban landscape to capture water where it falls and keep it out of the sewers, and to address backups and flooding resulting from outdated infrastructure and/or more intense rainstorms (when they do occur). In this way, WCWD is an unsung agency that is so vital to the health of West County and beyond.
I work diligently to protect our community and our workers; to promote fiscal responsibility and transparency; to ensure we maintain a safe affordable clean water environment; to educate & engage community on environmental issues related to water, wastewater and drought resilience; and to advocate legislators for additional funding and resources to meet our community’s growing ecological needs.
"Leadership is best taught by a leader." ~Ugandan Proverb
Whether through advocacy to adopt environmental/climate plans, increase investments for infrastructure projects to ensure sustainability and equity & access, to fighting for federal monies for community projects, clean water, infrastructure and climate resilience funding - I have written, supported and advanced legislation that has changed the lives of working class and impoverished people in our region and throughout the state, travelling regularly to Sacramento & Washington D.C. to advocate passage of bills that promote equity and access to just educational systems, economic dignity, healthcare benefits, a values-based budget, second-chances, and true environmental justice.
“The person who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” ~Chinese Proverb
I regularly collaborate with local community groups and leaders, unions, and legislators to make transformative changes in our economic, environmental, legal punishment, healthcare, educational, transit and housing systems that reflect our collective values, receiving numerous awards and honors for this community work including my unwavering commitment to environmental justice and empowerment of our communities.
What We Do...
West County Wastewater is governed by a five (5) member Board of Directors, publicly elected or appointed.
We make all policy determinations through the enactment of ordinances, codes, and resolutions related to Board of Directors meetings and procedures; personnel; solid waste collections; connections and fees; uniform plumbing code; sewage and discharge regulations; and ordinance listing.
The Board has final authority in the implementation of these policies. The Board determines how the District will obtain and spend funds and reviews and approves the District’s Operating and Capital Budget. The Board also appoints the General Manager and Legal Counsel, as well as the members of the District’s standing committees.
As a Director, my specific responsibilities have been to ensure governance of the District in accordance with applicable local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations in the best interests of its ratepayers; attend all regular, special and emergency Board and Committee meetings as scheduled; develop the District’s mission, vision; and goals; direct District policies; inform and adopt the District’s master plan, strategic plan and other planning documents; oversee the District’s finances and adopt its budget; appoint and direct the General Manager and General Counsel; and ensure personal compliance with annual Ethics Training (per Assembly Bill 1234) and Leadership Training.
I have a responsibility to be well-read and well prepared for all meetings (Board, training, public) so as to intelligently discuss and represent the District, including making proper motions, seconding motions, debating and voting on matters before the Board; working in concert with the General Manager, the Executive Team, and the General Counsel to respond to inquiries, questions, and/or requests for information; maintaining confidentiality of all privileged information received from the General Manager, General Counsel and any other source.
Priorities
Responsible Fiscal Management. Integridad Fiscal y Responsabilidad.
Reasonable Rates & Fair Labor Contracts. Tasas Razonables y Contratos Laborales Justos.
Implementing Contracting Policies for local hire, training, and suppliers.
Implementación de políticas para la contratación local, formación y uso de proveedores.
Environmental Stewardship. Cuidado del medio ambiente.
Environmental Justice & Improved Public Health. Justicia Ambiental y Mejor Salud Pública.
Maximize Resource Recovery. Reduce Toxic Emissions. Continue Modernizing Infrastructure.
Transparent, Accountable Governance. Gobernanza transparente y responsable.
Continue advocacy to local, state, federal legislators on environmental justice.
Support legislation to improve water, wastewater, resource recovery.
Employee Engagement, Training & Education. Entrenamiento y Educación de los empleados.
Community Outreach, Public Education, Career Programs.
Alcance Comunitario y Educación Pública y Programas profesionales.
Continuing the Work...
In my next term as Director, I will focus on continuing to lead the Board and District leadership teams to drive current strategic plan goals to forward progress and deliver the priorities we designed together (the Board, the staff, the community) including prioritizing equitable investment in communities when making decisions regarding infrastructure, just environmental action, and increasing workforce development opportunities.
My plans align with the current Board-adopted strategic plan to continue improving and modernizing the District’s infrastructure and to promote environmental stewardship throughout the District and our community by maximizing resource recovery, reducing carbon emissions, minimizing our environmental footprint, and making significant strides toward becoming a carbon-neutral enterprise while engaging with our community through awareness efforts to inform and educate about wastewater, water, and community health issues (Goal 1).
I will continue to work with local leaders to enhance the District’s image, continue advocacy to local, state, federal legislators on matters of environmental justice and supporting legislation to improve conditions affecting wastewater and related resource recovery matters (Goal 2, Goal 6). Promoting real-time information across its media platforms, the District can expand its public outreach to more specifically target regions and audiences.
I will also continue to encourage fiscal responsibility and prudent financial policies and practices that support sustainability, integrity, innovation. and responsible resource allocation. Encourage participatory budgeting process (with workforce & public) to underscore accountability and transparency (Goal 3). Emphasize equity in contracts awards; unbundling contracts where practical so local SBEs/DBEs/WBEs are able to bid on projects within their capacity.
I am seeking re-election so I can keep the momentum going on these and other important initiatives.
I would be honored to have your support and your vote.
CONTACT ME
1191 Solano Ave-#6050, Albany, CA 94706, USA
510.408.7570 | Online: @CSudduth-Politica
Donate. Volunteer. Join the Movement.
WATER IS IMPORTANT
We've worked so hard over these years to protect this most precious resource, proactively implementing measures to decrease our environmental footprint, increasing environmental protections, ensuring water quality permit compliance, and reducing overall sewer overflows.
I’ve been a strong, vocal proponent for sustainable energy, solar, & recycled water solutions and will continue this advocacy.
I’ve also served as a model community leader diligently maintaining civil discourse, collaborating with/empowered management/staff, promoting transparency, and being a proactive, thoughtful, forward-thinking leader & problem-solver, while representing the Board & community at the highest levels of government to deliver much-needed community services & resources.
I have fought for fiscal prudence, fair contracts, wise spending of the Peoples’ money, balanced operating & capital budgets, & significantly reduced unfunded liabilities. Our focus on responsible fiscal management has led to excellent credit rating and resulted in cost savings and better interest rates, saving the District and our community over $4M.
I’m proud of all we’ve accomplished, and while statistics are important, there’s more of the People’s work to be done - because it always comes back to the People.
Because it's always the People who matter.
And while we continue to work hard for you, we will continue to ‘focus on the fix, not just the fight’.
This isn’t a ‘glamorous’ role, but it's an important one.
I would appreciate your vote.
Gracías y Ma Salaama, Cheryl
