Rudy Fischer

My History

I am running to represent the people of Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, and Carmel Woods as their Director for District 4 on the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District (MPWMD) in this November’s election.

With over ten years’ experience working on solutions for the Monterey Peninsula’s chronic water problems I know the issues, I’m familiar with all of the projects, and I know the people involved personally. I have also attended and spoken at State Water Resources Control Board meetings in support of Monterey County homeowners and businesses, and have met with our area’s elected legislators in Sacramento about water matters. Three years ago I even spoke at WateReuse - a recycled water conference – about the progress we are making on the Peninsula.

I served on the Pacific Grove City Council for eight years and was a strong proponent of building the city’s Local Water Project. This plant now provides non-potable recycled water for the city’s golf course which, in turn, lowered our cost of watering the course and freed up potable water for the city’s existing homeowners and businesses. Making that happen involved strategic thinking and planning – something I am good at.

I also served on the Monterey One Water Board for five years – and was Board Chair for two. During that time the Pure Water Monterey project was approved and construction started. It is now on-line and producing potable water and, once fully operational, is expected to supply the Monterey Peninsula cities with about 35% of our water.

Over the years I have also written a great many articles and Op Ed pieces for the Herald and Cedar Street Times - many about water. My web site at www.rudyfischer.com has my positions and some of my articles.

My Plans

My main goal on the MPWMD Board will be to push for the development or expansion of water projects to replace what we can no longer take from the Carmel River. Getting out from under the state’s Cease and Desist Order has to be the first priority of the Water District - though making sure we have low cost water is also a major goal.

But I see the agency’s job as more than just one issue. The District has multiple goals – helping Pure Water Monterey be the best project it can be (and that may include some expansion eventually), making improvement in Aquifer Storage and Recovery to make it more efficient and reliable, evaluating all possible sources of water, and getting resolution on Measure J. I believe that these should all be important pieces of the organization’s overall goals.

The development of more water will allow the cities on the Peninsula to build the market rate and affordable housing we all need for our workers. Whether it is Monterey’s housing on Garden Road, the Campus Town development in Seaside, or the housing that students and professors at Cal State University Monterey Bay need; water is part of the struggle of getting any project approved and built on the Monterey Peninsula.

We have doctors, nurses, teachers, police officers, firefighters, auto mechanics, store salespeople, and hotel workers living in other communities because they can’t find housing here. They end up having to commute to their jobs – adding stress to their lives and pollution to our environment in the process.

This isn’t just about water. It is about our quality of life.

That is why I want to ensure we develop the water supplies we need to get out from under the state’s restrictions on our water.

Why Vote For Me?

People should vote for me because I have already worked on solutions for the Monterey Peninsula’s chronic water problems for ten years and have been involved with two successful projects. I have served on a local city council and the board of a local water agency and know the issues, the projects, and the people involved.

I have spoken with State Water Resources Control Board staff about our water situation. I have also attended and spoken at their meetings in support of Monterey County homeowners and businesses, and have visited our area’s elected legislators in Sacramento about water matters.

I’m a team player and don’t make decisions simply based on ideology. I make them based on facts and data, listen to all sides, work with everyone, and will make sure you have the water you need at a price you can afford.

Endorsements

Pacific Grove

Joe Amelio City Councilmember • Gary Bales Former City Manager for PG • Marabee Boone Hotel Industry – Past Citizen of the Year (2017) • Jeanne Byrne Incumbent, and Former Mayor - Past Citizen of the year • Mark Chakwin Planning Commissioner • Alan Cohen Former Councilmember • Ken Cuneo Former Councilmember • Bill Fredrickson Planning Commissioner • Steve Gorman Property Manager - Past Citizen of the year • Bill Kampe Former Mayor • Michelle Knight Business Owner - Former MPWMD Board Member • Steve Lilley Retired Hospital Executive – Planning Commissioner • Thom McMahon President, Monterey Bay Laundry, Head of City’s BID • Bruce Obbink Former Planning Comm. - Past Citizen of the Year (2009) • Ron Schenk Former Councilmember - Past Citizen of the Year (2010) • Richard Stillwell Retired businessman – known as “Mr. PG”

Pebble Beach

Peter Newman Homeowner • Tracy and Todd Perkins Homeowners • Joe Rombi Restauranteur

Carmel

Carrie Theiss City Councilwoman

AND many other residents and local officials.