Voter Guide 2001: Three candidates vie for two West Bay district board seats Voter Guide 2001: Three candidates vie for two West Bay district board seats (October 24, 2001)

By Marion Softky
Almanac Staff Writer

The three candidates for two seats on the West Bay Sanitary District board could hardly be more different.

Veteran incumbent David Knight of Sharon Heights, who was first appointed to the board in 1982, would bring continuity to a district that is recovering from embezzlement and organizational problems in the 1990s.

One-term incumbent John Carcione of Menlo Park, now board president at 26, defeated veteran director John Inglis four years ago on a platform of bringing new blood and restoring public trust. He takes credit for leading the new board majority that has "cleared up the embarrassment at the district."

Challenger William Henderson of Portola Valley says he wants to offer voters a choice, end cronyism, and look out for the taxpayer's best interest. "I think all incumbents should have some competition," he said. "I bring a fresh and independent outlook."

The contestants want to be part of a five-member board that supervises the collection of wastewater for some 55,000 people in Menlo Park, Atherton, East Palo Alto, Portola Valley, Redwood City, and unincorporated San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.

The district sends its wastewater to a treatment plant in Redwood City. It imposes no property tax, but raises funds through a sewer service charge, which is now $242 annually for a home. Its pay-as-you-go operation includes no debt, and therefore no interest payments in its $8.2 million budget.

One long-range problem facing the district is planning and financing major repairs and upgrades to aging sewer pipes, some of which date back to World War I. Other problems mentioned by candidates include expanding staff and office space, and serving areas of failing septic tanks, mostly in Portola Valley and beyond.

"The district currently expects to receive about 100 new requests for annexation," said Mr. Knight. All capital costs of extending service must be paid by those requesting it, not by the district, he pointed out.

Mr. Knight, who retired from IBM after 28 years as a systems analyst, feels qualified to deal with increased red tape and federal reporting requirements. He supports a current plan to inspect every sewer main by TV video tape, so the district can more effectively plan repairs and replacements.

Mr. Carcione, who has just finished law school and is working as a clerk in the office of his father, attorney Joseph Carcione Jr., stresses open government and customer service. He supports the long-range plan to upgrade and replace aging sewers, and hopes it can be achieved without raising sewer charges.

Mr. Henderson, a small-business owner, admits he has not attended board meetings or boned up on district affairs. He promises to catch up if elected, and to keep close watch on spending public money. He would study fiscal and environmental issues before expanding services.

All three candidates feel the district is on the right track with its new district manager. "Tim Clayton has brought an energetic, personable style to the district manager position," said Mr. Knight, the only board member who served through the district's time of troubles.

After former District Manager Sandy Thomas was caught embezzling an estimated $300,000 from the district, the board appointed Carl Schrader, one of its own members, as district manager before he resigned from the board. Several lawsuits later, Mr. Schrader lost his job, and has been required to return his salary for the time he worked for the district.

Three new members were elected to the board in 1999, leaving Mr. Carcione as the second most senior member after Mr. Knight.

John P. Carcione

Profession : One-term incumbent and current president of the West Bay Sanitary District Board. Law clerk in the office of Joseph Carcione Jr.

Experience : Represents and advocates for children through the San Mateo County Bar Association's Juvenile Private Defender Program. Member of Court Appointed Special Advocates, Street Law Project; and California State Democratic Party's Children Caucus.

Education : Degree in international law and politics from Georgetown University; law degree from Hastings College of Law of the University of California; awaiting results of the bar exam.

David W. Knight

Profession : Member of the West Bay Sanitary District Board since 1982.

Experience : Systems analyst and programmer for IBM for 28 years; officer, U.S. Air Force, Air Defense Command; member of California Association of Sanitary Agencies.

Education : B.A., University of Texas in math and business/economics.

William Henderson

Profession : Business owner of a commercial debt-collection service.

Experience : Veteran, construction worker, and teacher. Served on the Pennsylvania Organized Crime Commission, with the Philadelphia Bureau of the Budget, and the city manager's office in Eugene, Oregon. Ran for Portola Valley Town Council.

Education : Masters in public administration from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.