Ballots for the Nov. 4 election will be mailed to voters Oct 6. In preparation, we’ve invited candidates for local office to participate in written interviews on their vision, goals, background and qualifications in a series we’re calling “Meet the Candidates.”
The American Valley Community Services District supplies drinking water and wastewater services to Quincy and East Quincy — a region described on the website as extending from Claremont Peak to Spanish Creek. Two of the five AVCSD board member seats are up for re-election in 2025. The candidates are incumbents Kathy Felker and current President Bill Martin, and newcomer John Selby. We asked them to describe their inspiration, priorities and expertise. Their responses appear in alphabetical order by family name.
Kathy Felker, Quincy
1. What inspired you to run for the CSD board?
My primary reason for wanting to become a member of the East Quincy District’s board was frustration over previous attempts to consolidate the two districts serving American Valley, which I believed would better serve customers in both Quincy and East Quincy.
In 2013, I was appointed as a board member of the East Quincy Services District, where I served for five years prior to the district’s consolidation with the Quincy Community Services District, now known as the American Valley Community Services District. I’ve continued as a board member with the combined district since 2018.
2. What do you see as the top priorities for the CSD in your district over the next term?
The American Valley Community Services District is regulated by the State Water Resources Control Board. Three years ago we completed a new wastewater treatment plant required by that state agency. The cost was completed with 51% covered by grants.
Having the experience in overseeing the completion of the plant is important to keeping it in full compliance with state regulatory requirements. Fully trained employees in the operation of this sophisticated plant must be maintained. The board of directors, while not involved with day-to-day activities of the office, must make sure that employees complete their necessary training hours to become fully licensed in plant operation.
The fire history of American Valley makes sufficient water storage in the valley imperative. Currently, the American Valley Community Services District has four water storage tanks. The current board of directors is actively pursuing an additional water storage tank. A hydraulic study to determine the best placement of a new tank will be completed very soon. Once completed, the process of researching grant opportunities will begin to at least partially offset the cost of the new storage tank. This project will go a long way to ensuring the safety of our community.
3. What expertise will you bring to the role of CSD board member? What makes you a good fit?
I have lived in Quincy since 1988. My employment history was with the U.S. Postal Service, retiring in 2009 with 25 years of service. I worked in various assignments both as a clerk and as postmaster of Canyon Dam, Greenville and finally Quincy. As the postmaster of Quincy my duties included managing a combination of retail sales, 2,200 postal box deliveries, three highway contract routes and three rural delivery routes. I maintained a budget of over $1 million, along with supervising up to 15 employees. Other duties were maintaining statistical records, including volume and staffing estimates. My personnel experience includes providing continuous on-the-job training as well as counseling employees and taking corrective actions when necessary. Resolving customer problems was also a big part of my position, so I have experience in management and customer service, both of which have been extremely helpful as a board member with the district.
The American Valley Community Services District operates with a budget of approximately $4.2 million. A budget of that size calls for experienced board members. I currently serve on the budget committee and I am happy to report that our district is in good financial shape. Our annual audits confirm this.
Bill Martin, retired college instructor, East Quincy
1. What inspired you to run for the CSD board?
I was asked to join the East Quincy District board in 2013 and saw it as a chance to serve. Before I retired, I didn’t have a lot of extra time, but I believe public service is everyone’s duty and that citizens should do what they can to make where they live a better place.
My service on the AVCSD board is one way I’ve done that. Most of us don’t give much thought to the water we drink or to flushing our toilets. I want to do my part to make sure those services are safe and effective.
2. What do you see as the top priorities for the CSD in your district over the next term?
First and foremost, it’s providing uninterrupted water and sewer services, but another priority is ensuring the district’s continued fiscal stability and its conformance to state regulations and standards.
Also in the cards is expansion of our water storage capacity, which we’re working on now. And I want to see continued improvements to the wastewater collection infrastructure in our west zone.
Finally, the board needs to consistently pursue grants because doing so means keeping rates as low as possible. As a ratepayer myself, I know how important that is to everyone in our community.
3. What expertise will you bring to the role of CSD board member? What makes you a good fit?
I’ve served for 11 years as a director in both the East Quincy and the American Valley districts, and I helped facilitate the 2018 process of consolidating the two districts, which was challenging. I was also involved in overseeing the design and financing of our new $44 million wastewater treatment plant (which was 51% grant funded), so I’m familiar with how it works. Finally, my lifelong curiosity about utilities, energy and community infrastructure has led me to study these subjects, and I bring that knowledge and experience to my service on the board.
Being able to work with people is essential to success in any organization. As a former teacher, I’ve learned how to share information with people from all walks of life. Communicating effectively is key to establishing positive relationships, and that helps build cohesive communities.
I enjoy positive interaction with and learning from the other board members, who each bring their own expertise to public service. As board president, I’ve honed my leadership skills.
I’m good at policy development, which makes for a smooth-running operation, and I care about staff development, as well as matching adequate staffing to the district’s needs.
John Selby
John Selby did not respond to requests.
