Dublin San Ramon Services District Candidate Q&A: Rosalind 'Roz' Rogoff

Pleasanton Patch has asked each candidate to fill out a questionnaire to give residents information about his or her background. 

What is the primary reason you are running for this office?

Residents need a voice on the Board of Directors. San Ramon residents do not have anyone from San Ramon on the board, and many residents from Dublin feel their concerns are not being listened to either. 

What will be your single most important priority if you get elected? 

Start a fund to offset rate increases for seniors and low income residents.  Proposition 218, passed in 1996, prevents special districts from providing life-line rates for water and sewer to property owners and renters based on need. This restriction must be changed through the initiative process, but in the meantime something must be done to help low income renters and owners cover their water and sewer bills.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

I have been reporting and commenting on the city of San Ramon and local agencies such as DSRSD, Central San, and EBMUD as the San Ramon Observer for eight years. I am the only candidate for the Dublin San Ramon Services District from San Ramon. There has not been a representative from San Ramon for on the DSRSD Board of Directors for eight years. I'm not a newcomer to DSRSD, but I'm not part of the old establishment. That absolutely sets me apart from the other candidates.   

Where do you work and what is your job title? 

I work from home online as an Online College Instructor for University of Phoenix and Axia College of the University of Phoenix.  I teach student success and new student orientation workshops and undergraduate classes on skills for learning in an information age, critical thinking, analysis and design of dnformation systems, management of information systems, and supervision. I also teach graduate classes on instructional design, foundations of adult education, and e-learning design technologies. 

I am a contributing reporter to the San Ramon Express. I write stories on the San Ramon City Council and other local events and issues including meetings and decisions made by the Dublin San Ramon Services District. I am not covering the district now that I am a candidate. Last year I moved my San Ramon Observer blog to the Express.  

Age and birthplace?

I will be 68 in October. I was born in New Rochelle, NY. 

What are the names and ages of your children, if any?

 None. I only have cats. 

Please list the schools and colleges you attended, the degrees you attained and when. 

I received my Bachelor of Arts in 1972 from Iona College, which is located in New Rochelle, NY.

I received an Master of Arts in Theater Arts with the emphasis on Cinema from University of California, Los Angeles, in 1974

I earned a Ph.D. in Instructional Technology from University of Southern California in 1979

I also attended broadcasting classes at Santa Monica College from 1990 to 1992, but I was not in a degree program. 

Have you ever held an elected or appointed public office?

I was appointed to the Board of Directors of TV30 from 2000 to 2004. I would like to see DSRSD meetings broadcast on Tri-Valley Community TV so everyone will have the opportunity to see how this agency works. 

I was recently appointed to the San Ramon Arts Advisory Committee to serve until 2012.

Have you run before for an elected public office?

 Yes, I ran for DSRSD in 2004.

Approximately how much money do you expect to spend on your campaign, both total spending and personal. 

Not more than $1,000 plus the filing costs. That way I do not have to file Fair Political Practice Commission reports.  

Have you ever served in the military?

No. I wanted to join the U.S. Coast Guard after graduating high school, but I was over the weight limit. I weighed 155 and the limit for my height was 140. I'm a lot heavier now.

Have you ever been convicted or charged with a crime other than a minor traffic violation?

 No.

Have you or a business you owned or had principal interest in ever filed bankruptcy?

 No.

How long have you lived in the district?

 Thirteen years.

What's your favorite thing about the district?

It provides safe, reliable drinking water and sanitary services. These make the difference between civilized nations and third world countries. Children in Africa are dying because they do not have clean water, and their water is bad because they do not have proper sanitary services. This district provides the most necessary services to this region and they should be affordable and accessible to everyone.  

What is the biggest problem in the district?

Lack of open communication with residents and rate-payers. Also, I have heard that there are some issues between the district and its employees that need closer scrutiny.

Contact information:

See my website, www.rozfordsrsd.org and e-mail me at rosalindr@rozfordsrsd.org.