Mark Falcone

The Candidate

Mark Falcone currently serves as a Commissioner on the Community Advisory Commission for East Valley Water District.

He brings 35 years of private-sector business management experience. His top priorities include maximizing water capture, balancing conservation and use and prioritizing water security.

Falcone advocates for collaboration among local produce growers, city planners, water wholesalers/retailers and community members. He also emphasizes the importance of education and innovative technologies in water management.

Falcone has lived in Highland for 31 years.

The Funding

Total Raised: $7,700

(Last updated Oct. 25, 2024)

Falcone's campaign for San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation Board Division 2 has raised $7,700.

• $700 from four individual donations
• $7,000 in personal funding

The Endorsements

James Morales Jr., Chairman of the Board, East Valley Water District

Ronald L. Coats, Vice Chairman of the Board, East Valley Water District

Philip R. Goodrich, Governing Board Member, East Valley Water District

Chris Carrillo, Governing Board Member, East Valley Water District

David E. Smith, Governing Board Member, East Valley Water District

Penny Lilburn, Mayor of Highland

Larry McCallon, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Highland

In their own words

Responses provided by the candidate were edited only for grammar or spelling.

What are your top three priorities?

As your next elected board member of the San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District, I pledge to provide forward-thinking leadership that addresses our current needs while safeguarding our future. My top priorities are:

1. Maximizing Water Capture: Collaborating to leverage all available resources in capturing every precious drop of surface water.

2. Balancing Conservation and Use: Ensuring a full groundwater basin while maintaining environmental balance.

3. Prioritizing Water Security: Recognizing that while environmental and habitat concerns are important, they should never outweigh the need for life-sustaining water for our community.

In times of crisis and stability alike, we need sensible leaders capable of setting sound policy and making critical decisions. My extensive experience in business management coupled with my understanding of the water industry, uniquely positions me to be that leader. Together, we can ensure a sustainable water future for our community. 

How do you plan to balance the human need for water with environmental and habitat concerns? What takes priority?

I currently serve as a Commissioner on the Community Advisory Commission for East Valley Water District. In this role, I have learned various facets of district operations from, but not limited to, water/wastewater/reclamation, finance and budgets, long-term planning, public relations, and legislative outreach. In addition, I have 35 years of business management experience leading business operations in the private sector. I bring a unique blend of business acumen and water industry experience to the role of Board Member for the Division II seat of the San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District Board of Directors. 

I see my role as a board member as implementing and overseeing strategies to protect and manage our water resources, by developing policies, promoting water conservation best practices, educating the public and advocating for sustainable water use within the district’s service area. All in collaboration with local agencies and stakeholders.

As I reflect on the question posed by the editor; How do you plan to balance the human need for water with environmental and habitat concerns, I conclude this is not merely a question of classroom academics. This is a challenge that rings true throughout our communities. One that echoes in our rivers, streams, creeks, and reservoirs alike. 

There is no denying water is the lifeblood of our society. As humans we cannot survive without it nor would our crops and thus our food supply. Water also sustains our industries and our economy. However, as we face extraordinary demands aggravated by population growth and environmental change, the delicate line between human consumption and preserving our environment grows increasingly fragile. While water consumption and environmental concerns are certainly competing interests, I do not believe they should be viewed as one more important than the other. Rather, I see them as complex yet interdependent, where balance is paramount. As we navigate this issue, I believe we must emphasize accountability and sustainability as our guiding principles. 

First and foremost, we must put a spotlight on education. A well-educated and well- informed community is an empowered community. I envision fostering an on-going culture of water stewardship through district sponsored workshops and community outreach programs. Knowledge of sustainable practices will encourage many to reduce their water waste. Very simple actions, multiplied across our community, can generate meaningful impacts. 

Secondly, we need to embrace innovative technologies and practices that augment our water management strategies. Investing in the next generation of technologies, aimed at reducing water waste and conservation, including artificial intelligence, must be explored. I believe artificial intelligence offers a promise of not only reshaping the way in which we predict and monitor habitats, but artificial intelligence can also transform our water security. These next-generation technologies offer the opportunity to better serve our human needs as well as contribute to improving our environmental health and our local ecosystems.

Lastly, local stakeholder engagement is crucial. Collaboration among local produce growers, city planners, water wholesalers/retailers and members of our community can forge those partnerships whereby both human and ecological needs are respected. I would advocate for an annual review of the Upper Santa Ana River Wash Habitat Conservation Plan to ensure goals and objectives are achieved and/or implementing course corrections. 

In conclusion, I believe our approach to balancing our need for water with environmental concerns should multifaceted. By promoting education, investing in next generation technologies, and cultivating stakeholder collaboration we can certainly create a sustainable water future. There is no need to prioritize consumption over the environment or vice versa, rather we need to recognize and acknowledge their existence are intertwined.

I am committed to collaborating with staff and fellow board members in championing solutions that respect both our humanity and our environment while safeguarding this life sustaining resource for generations to come.