Newman Accessible and Innovative

With a changing climate affecting a consistent water supply, our elected officials must promote sustainable ways to manage our water systems. I have spent years working on sustainable environmental solutions, both professionally and as a volunteer, including the Montecito Association Water Committee. As an environmentalist and a twenty-year resident of Montecito, I am supporting Charles Newman for the Montecito Water District Board.

I have gotten to know Charles over the past 15 months as he has served on the MWD board working to create real, reliable water supplies for its customers. I have enjoyed working with him; he has made himself very accessible to constituents and gives freely of his time and energy. Charles got Santa Barbara County to waive a lengthy permit and fee process, and residents are now able to quickly install grey water (“laundry-to-landscape”) systems. He created and chairs the district’s Water Recycling Committee, in a focused effort to make recycled water available to MWD customers. His environmentally responsible approach has earned him the Sierra Club’s endorsement (the only MWD candidate whom they have endorsed).

Charles joined the MWD board at a very challenging time and has risen to the challenge in a variety of ways. He has taken the lead in calling for long term strategic planning for our water future, including creating ground water storage basins and inter-district supply agreements. He serves on six MWD committees, chairing two, and spends more than 100 hours per month to the benefit of MWD’s customers. This is the devotion and innovation that we need to ensure a long-term, reliable water supply.