Ahead of the November general election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below.
Name: Kathryn Freshley
Age: 87
Current job title: Board President and Director
Incumbent: Yes
Other political positions held: Board Member, SOCWA, Commissioner, LAFCO
City where you reside: Laguna Woods
Campaign website or social media: Freshley4etwd.info
What does this department do for citizens? What do you view as its most important role for residents, and why? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
Water is a natural resource we often take for granted. However, in Southern California, this resource must be carefully managed for the benefit of all. This requires board members who have good technical and financial backgrounds and have demonstrated the capability to provide leadership through challenging issues when there are many stakeholders who have different opinions on what should be done.
Your neighbors may not be so familiar with this office on their ballot. How would you promote more general knowledge of the district and the importance of its work? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
In order to more effectively communicate with our residents, we hold a quarterly Community Advisory Group luncheons to inform our customers of our activities, performance, status of the water conditions for California and our agency. Additionally, we present our current and planned capital projects that will ensure water quality, availability and maintaining our operating costs. We also have our executive team available to HOA’s, when requested for their membership meetings, to discuss and answer questions about water or sanitation issues.
What experiences and priorities do you bring to this role? What have you learned in prior leadership roles that makes you the person for the job? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
I am a licensed professional engineer with graduate management education and worked in executive management, engineering and business/strategic planning.
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What will you do to establish trust with your community that you will tackle this job well? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
After 10 years consulting with private companies (revenues $10 million to $100 million), I devoted more of time to volunteer activities in an international women’s golf association (EWGA, currently the LPGA-Amateur Division). In 2012, the Executive Women’s Golf Association (EWGA) recognized me as the National Volunteer of the Year.
In addition, I served nine years on the Laguna Woods Village boards. In 2015, as President of the LWV Golden Rain Foundation, I led the community to change its governance model to that of a self-governed municipality. As a result of this activity, the OC Register recognized me as One of 100 OC’s Most Influential Community Leaders.
I believe, these awards and my education and employment history, will establish trust with the ETWD served community that I can and will effectively tackle all challenges presented to the agency.
Bonus question: What is the best book you’ve read this year? Explain why you found it compelling.
“Distancing: The Focus on Decision-Making”