Chamber president Aaron Walton gives instructional comments before the candidates speak.
For more photos go to East Valley Times website
By Judy La Russa
On April 26, 2010, ten candidates running for five different Shasta County offices shared campaign views and answered questions from Shingletown residents at a forum sponsored by the Palo Cedro Chamber of Commerce, whose boundaries include the Shingletown area. “We had the candidates’ forum in Shingletown because we are wanting to start doing more to incorporate all the areas in our boundaries,” said Aaron Walton, Chamber President and coordinator of the forum. “When the opportunity becomes available, the Chamber plans to continue to offer this valuable venue to community.”
The candidates each had three minutes to introduce themselves and explain their platforms, then they responded to written questions from the audience. Chamber member JJ Jensen, owner of JJ’s Log Cabin Quilts, moderated the forum.
Ron Largent and Leslie Morgan, who are running for the office of Assessor-Recorder, led off.
Largent, who has been in the real estate profession as an agent or broker since 1971, said his priority is on assessment values and he would like to address the accuracy in property assessments that relates to California Proposition 13. He also said he would like to be more fiscally efficient and to be more accountable to the taxpayer.
Morgan began her career in the department as an Auditor-Appraiser in 1995 and then was elected to the Assessor-Recorder office in November 2006. She said, “I initiated the proactive review of value reductions in Shasta County. These reviews resulted in a property tax savings to citizens of more than $3.8 million in 2008 and over $12.7 million in 2009. In addition, I have reduced the budgets of both departments by making effective changes in staffing and expenses.”
Candidates running for the office of District Attorney, Jerry Benito and Steve Carlton, spoke next.
Benito, the current District Attorney since 2003, says that he is proudly fiscally responsible. He said that he has been proactive in the fiscal management of the District Attorney’s Office and despite sharp reductions in County and State resources, the services and protection provided to the public through the District Attorney’s Office have been shielded from negative impacts during the economic downturn. Benito said that he is “dedicated to ensuring our families are safe and protected.”
Carlton served as the District Attorney of Shasta County for nearly ten years and then chose not to seek re-election in 1990 and a year later entered a private law practice. “Despite an active private practice, I have chosen to seek the position of District Attorney once again,” said Carlton. “I seek this position for one reason, and that reason is to restore justice and integrity to our criminal justice system in Shasta County. I haven’t liked what I’ve seen for the past six and half years,”
The three candidates for Supervisor of District Five–Corkey Harmon, Chris Young and Les Baugh (who was not able to attend because of a previous commitment, but was represented by supporter Teresa Oliver)–were next to address the crowd.
Harmon, who is an associate partner of Stimpel-Wiebelhaus Associates said, “Times are tough and I don’t need another job, but I want this job. I’m just a concerned, honest citizen who wants to step up by giving time back to my community.” He added, “I don’t want to be a career Politian, I will give you four years, then I can go home and be happy.” Harmon says that it will be his goal to bring the voice back to “We the People,” not by compromise or under the table deals, but by honest hard work and open communication.
Young has been a realtor since 1990 and is currently Chairman of the Redding Planning Commission. He supports business development, jobs and growth, public safely and property rights. He says that one of the biggest problems is the budget. “We are in need of job base development. The county has failed to actively promote business and expand our sales tax base. More jobs equate to more than just tax dollars into the county coffers. More jobs mean less crime, less domestic violence, less drug abuse, fewer mental health issues, fewer housing and homeless issues, more donations to worthy causes, a better quality of life for everyone.”
Baugh was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2006. Prior to that, he was elected four times to the Anderson City Council, serving twice as mayor. A quote from Baugh’s campaign website said; “A vote for me is a vote for more officers and fire personnel, faster response times and good roads and infrastructure so that you are safe in your homes. I provide focus and accountability on the issues of balancing growth and jobs, in harmony with the character of our communities. My emphasis is on ‘listening to your needs’, delivering service to the public responsively, effectively and consistently; with a proven commitment to responsible fiscal management.”
The two candidates for County Clerk/Registrar of Voters are Cathy Darling and Russell Hunt. Hunt did not attend the forum and sent no one to represent himself.
Darling was appointed by the Shasta County Board of Supervisors in 2004 to serve out the term of retiring County Clerk Ann Reed. She successfully ran for County Clerk/Registrar of Voters in 2006. During Darling’s time at the Clerk’s office, she has overseen the successful implementation of the touch-screen voting system and supervised the most hectic election schedule in decades: the Gubernatorial Recall Election, the UDEL Election of 2003, the Presidential Primary Election of 2004 and the Presidential General Election that followed, all within 14 months.
The last candidates to speak are running for the office of Auditor; they are Randal Faulkner and Connie Regnell.
Faulkner is a Certified Public Accountant who says the Auditor is the chief financial officer and fiscal watchdog of taxpayer funds spent by the county. He said he would like to restore credibility, accountability, and efficiency by example to the Auditor’s office.
Regnell said, “My 19 years in local government, serving six years as Assistant Auditor-Controller in Tehama County and eight years as Assistant Auditor-Controller in Shasta County prior to being elected Shasta County Auditor, equates to extensive experience, training, leadership and knowledge which have given me the tools to continue to serve the citizens of Shasta County.”
“My passion for my job is the driving force behind my service to the citizens of Shasta County. As the fiscal belt continues to tighten in our state, knowledge, background history and an extensive work experience will be the keys to leadership in the Auditor-Controller’s Office, “said Regnell.
To learn more about the Palo Cedro Chamber of Commerce go to their website at www.palocedrochamber.org.
Palo Cedro candidates’ forum on May 14
The Millville Grange will hold a Candidate’s Night at 6:30 p.m. May 14, 2010. All candidates running for Shasta County offices in the June 8 election have been invited to participate. Each candidate will give a short speech and respond to written questions from the audience. JJ Jensen will again moderate the event. Election materials will be available and refreshments will be served.
The Millville Grange Hall is located on Old Forty-four Drive in Palo Cedro between Deschutes Road and Cedro Lane. The public is invited to attend and meet the candidates face to face.