When voters in Palo Alto, Los Altos and Mountain View choose a representative for the Valley Water board, they deserve an effective leader who works collaboratively to protect local communities from flooding. Unfortunately, the tenure of incumbent Rebecca Eisenberg has been defined by toxic behavior, severe policy violations, and a shocking disregard for transparency and legal boundaries. To restore stability and effective representation, voters should support Los Altos Councilman Pete Dailey.
The most damning indicator of Eisenberg’s unfitness for public office is her blatant and unlawful theft of confidential documents. In January 2024, Valley Water directors were permitted to view a sensitive, 2,000-page internal investigation regarding misconduct allegations against Eisenberg in a secure room. They were strictly informed that the files could not leave the premises. Disregarding these rules, surveillance photos captured Eisenberg grabbing the documents, carrying them to her vehicle, and driving away.
This reckless theft forced Valley Water to file a lawsuit to retrieve its own property, costing taxpayers $143,694 in legal fees on top of the $587,497 spent on the underlying investigation. In September 2024, Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Ellen E. Williams rightfully ordered Eisenberg to return the stolen records. A public official who actively steals confidential files, violates explicit protocols, and triggers hundreds of thousands of dollars in unnecessary taxpayer expenditures has thoroughly disqualified herself from public trust.
Beyond the document theft, the underlying investigation substantiated nine separate complaints against Eisenberg for discrimination and abusive conduct. Her history of making derogatory remarks toward colleagues — such as mocking Board Chair Nai Hsueh’s English language skills and insulting District Counsel Carlos Orellano until he was “near tears” — demonstrates a profound lack of professionalism.
Eisenberg’s combative behavior has directly harmed Palo Alto and its neighbors. Because she could not follow basic decorum, her colleagues stripped her of her committee assignments, including her role on the joint agency working to prevent flooding along San Francisquito Creek. As Dailey accurately pointed out, this dysfunction creates a state of “taxation without representation” for northern county residents who are left without an effective voice on vital infrastructure committees.
Northern Santa Clara County needs a serious, collaborative professional, and Pete Dailey fits the bill perfectly. He brings stable, proven government experience from the Los Altos City Council and a personal commitment to water safety stemming from witnessing devastating flooding during his youth.
Dailey’s platform prioritizes critical regional needs:
• Restoring effective teamwork to ensure proper flood protection along local waterways.
• Holding AI data centers accountable by requiring them to report their water usage on a monthly basis.
• Building housing for the homeless on available Valley Water land in cooperation with the county.
Dailey has earned broad, trusted regional support, including endorsements from his fellow council members, Santa Clara County Supervisor Margaret Abe-Koga, and District Attorney Jeff Rosen.
Valley Water manages a massive $811 million annual operating budget. It cannot afford to have its resources squandered on lawsuits, infighting and the erratic behavior of an incumbent who steals secure documents. It is time to restore integrity and focus to the board. Vote for Pete Dailey for the Valley Water Board.
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