With respect to all the vitally important issues being discussed this election cycle including reproductive freedom, guaranteed access to the ballot box, fully funding public schools, providing safe and green sustainable communities, and safeguarding civil rights for everyone, they may all pale in significance to confronting the water shortages and drought situation currently present (A Tier Two Shortage, or 21% reduction in Colorado River water for Arizona, was declared last month) in the Grand Canyon state.
Or put another way: If there is not enough water for the people or animals to drink, this state may become ill-suited for its current population to comfortably reside in.
That is why the race to fill the five open board seats on the Central Arizona Water Conservation District this election cycle is paramount.
Providing safe, drinkable water (40 percent of it from the currently shrinking Colorado River) to the residents of Maricopa, Pima, and Pinal Counties (where 80 percent of the state’s residents live,) it is important to have board members that are grounded in fact-based reality, will strive for common sense solutions to the water crisis, and work to bring everyone to the table to arrive at a consensus.
Four candidates: Alexandra Arboleda, Ylenia Aguliar, Benjamin Graff, and Jim Pederson are running as a team for four of those seats.
Of all the four candidates, Mr. Pederson may have the most extensive background of all.
A former Mayoral aid and a successful commercial realtor, Mr. Pederson has been a leader in the Arizona Democratic Party for the last twenty years. He has served as the State Party Chair, helping Janet Napolitano and Terry Goddard win their elections for Governor and Attorney General in 2002.
He also ran a spirited campaign against John Kyl for the United States Senate in 2006.
If elected to the Central Arizona Water Conservation Board, Mr. Pederson will advance solutions that:
- Utilize Water Conservation for Sustainable Growth.
- Incorporate Science-based Solutions.
- Protect Arizona’s Share of the Colorado River.
- Provide Affordable, safe drinking water for every zip code.
Among the strategies he would look into to propel these solutions are:
- Reclaimed water.
- Water (aquafer) recharge.
- Water Transfer.
- Taking a cue from the Israelis: drip irrigation and desalinization.
In this second segment of a three-part piece, Mr. Pederson graciously took the time to respond to questions about his candidacy for the Central Arizona Water Conservation District.
“As a native Arizonan, I’m keenly aware of the water issues facing our State. I’ve been disappointed that until recently, these issues have not been front and center in public awareness. Water policy has been primarily directed by staff and administrators of the various water agencies and not by our elected leaders. These issues must have a public debate and action by every level of government and that can only be done by our elected leaders. The CAWCD Board is one of the few elected water related agencies and I want to use my skills acquired in business and political involvement to bring individuals and organizations together to solve the critical water issues facing our State.”
“a) Water conservation by agriculture, manufacturing and residences. b) Protecting Arizona’s share of the Colorado River c) Over time, legislation at the State and Federal to effect changes to current laws preventing effective water policy.”
“In addition to the traditional campaign tools of signs, social media and literature, I go to anywhere I’m invited to explain the critical water issues we face. I find that our citizens are very interested and want to get involved in solutions. We just need the leadership to channel that involvement into real solutions.”
Please click on the below social media site to find out more about Jim Pederson and his candidacy for the Central Arizona Water Conservation Board.
https://www.electpederson.com/issues
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