This is an archive of a past election.
See http://www.smartvoter.org/ca/or/ for current information.
Orange County, CA November 2, 2010 Election
Smart Voter Political Philosophy for Shawn Dewane

Candidate for
Board Member; Orange County Water District; Division 7

[photo]
This information is provided by the candidate

Clean, affordable water is fundamental to the economic liberty of our citizens and key to the economic development of our community. Single service Independent Special Districts like Mesa are the best form of Government.

The California Special Districts Association describes the function of special districts this way: "Independent special districts are sanctioned under California Law for the performance of local governmental functions within specified boundaries. Agencies range in size from small to very large and often cross political boundary lines, such as city and county borders, to serve a common community of interest. There is a clear identification between agency name and services provided, which has resulted in a high level of accountability and responsibility to the public, and a high degree of customer satisfaction. As such, they are an integral part of local government and contribute significantly to the quality of life in the communities they serve."

Over 200 years ago our Country was founded on the idea of individual liberty, accountability and self reliance. Our founding Father's left the ideas of Europe behind and set out to create an experiment that changed the world. Instead of relying on the government for our existence we would rely on ourselves.

Our countrymen organized into 13 colonies originally which then organized into States, that were then subdivided into Counties, Cities, Towns and finally Special Districts. These districts solved problems common to people of different geographic areas. They include needs such as water supply, libraries, waste disposal, cemeteries, harbors and many other functions of local government. In fact there are over 1000 Special Districts in the State of California.

This form of Government keeps the problems close to the people and keeps Government accountable. The alternative is Central Planning. History is littered with examples of failed Central Planning ideas. When Government becomes too large it becomes unaccountable and non responsive to the constituents. Our Founding Father's realized this when they said the Government derives its power from the consent of the Governed.

I am an advocate for Special Districts as they keep Government local, accountable and affordable. Local Elected Officials that answer to their neighbors are more likely to be responsive when the problems they are trying to solve affect them and their families personally.

Next Page: Additional Endorsements

Candidate Page || Feedback to Candidate || This Contest
November 2010 Home (Ballot Lookup) || About Smart Voter


The League of Women Voters does not support or oppose any candidate or political party.
Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 1, 2010 16:32
Smart Voter   <http://www.smartvoter.org/>
Copyright © League of Women Voters of California Education Fund   http://ca.lwv.org