Vol. XV, No. 5
February 8, 2002

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY ASSESSOR RACE: STUFF OF SOAP OPERAS

With apologies to “As the World Turns,” the three-way race for San Bernardino County assessor is the stuff of which soap operas are made. As reported February 2 in The Press-Enterprise:

The three candidates “have only bad things to say about one another.” They are Donald Williamson, 57, the incumbent seeking a third term; Linda Foster, 57, who once worked for the assessor, and R. Gordon Young, 75, who was the assessor from 1978 to 1994.

Ms. Foster, the newspaper said, calls her former boss a relentless self-promoter and a bumbler who drives away the office’s top talent and harasses women employees.

Mr. Young said he is the only candidate with the integrity and qualifications to run the office, now that he says he has overcome alcohol and health problems. He said he stopped drinking three years ago after he was cited for disturbing the peace while intoxicated outside his home. He had cited ill health when he retired from the assessor’s office.

Mr. Williamson sued Ms. Foster alleging she had not paid taxes on billboards that she co-owns (see February 1 Caltaxletter). She denies the allegation, and notes that Mr. Williamson was in arrears on property taxes on rental properties in years before he was elected assessor. Those bills have since been paid.

According to the Press-Enterprise, “Williamson’s last year in office has been chaotic. He repeatedly changed his mind whether to fire or punish office employees who had e-mailed smut via county computers. One woman who was a subject of the e-mail investigation sued Williamson for sexual harassment and won a $65,000 settlement.”

Also, county supervisors cut liaison positions held by women from the office budget. Mr. Williamson said he needed a liaison to accompany him to meetings with seniors and mobile home residents. The women would ride with him in his car to keep him from falling asleep at the wheel, the newspaper reported. Saying he had suffered six heart attacks in the days before the supervisors met, Mr. Williamson had an assistant play a tape recording of him pleading with the board to allow him to keep his liaisons.

Ms. Foster said she decided to seek the office because of the incumbent’s “lack of leadership and the atrocious personal conduct.” Mr. Williamson, who calls the office one of the state’s most efficient, said, “My biggest mistake with Linda Foster was picking a disloyal person.”

The newspaper said none of the candidates has a four-year college degree.

Elsewhere in county assessor races:

Humboldt County. Although tame by San Bernardino County standards, the Humboldt County race for assessor has developed into a slam-bang affair. In the contest to succeed retiring Assessor Ray Jerland, Assistant Assessor Linda Hill has been forced to defend the assessor’s office against criticisms it is poorly managed.

According to the Eureka Times-Standard, the “outside” challenger, William D. Thomas, claims the office is poorly managed, complacent, unresponsive and has at times alienated the county administrator’s office, local governments, ranchers and even assessor office staff.

“My campaign is based on a change in attitude,” Mr. Thomas said. He noted that two years ago Mr. Jerland drastically increased values of agricultural preserve lands in one year, instead of reappraising the land year by year. Former county CAO John Murray said several assessor office employees expressed to him unhappiness over the way the assessor’s office has been managed. “I know some (employees) left because of the management style in that office. There is a lack of responsiveness to the public … and poor management practices.”

Ms. Hill has expressed disagreement with the criticisms of the office. Having worked in the office for 30 years, she offered three goals: Fairly assess property, improve technology and improve customer service.

Mr. Thomas, who has owned and managed an appraisal firm for 25 years, said he thinks the office could benefit from his enthusiasm and fresh perspective.

Former long-time assessor Ray Flynn, who retired in 1994, declined to offer an opinion publicly on either candidate.

Monterey County. It’s the “ins” versus the “outs” in the race for Monterey County assessor. According to the Salinas Californian, two insider candidates – Eric Bailey and Steven Vagnini – hope experience is the winning edge, while Jeffery Walbeck says “it’s time for new blood.” Mr. Walbeck, past president of the Economic Development Corporation, said the office is lagging in technological innovation and an outsider can improve customer service.

If the voter wants an inside candidate, which one? Mr. Bailey is assistant assessor and has 30 years of experience, while Mr. Vagnini, who is a supervising appraiser, has 15 years with the office.

Mr. Bailey is stressing experience, while Mr. Vagnini is attempting to use the coattails of retiring Assessor Joe Pitta, who has endorsed Mr. Vagnini. Mr. Vagnini says he wants to improve public services and accessibility.

Fresno County. Fresno County voters face culture shock this March when they punch their ballots for the office of assessor. For the past quarter-century, Assessor Bill Greenwood has held sway, generally without challenge. He decided to retire.

According to the Fresno Bee, Bob Werner has raised the most money for the campaign to date, but most of it is a loan from his parents. He has called for improvements in computerizing the office and promises to streamline reporting procedures for business.

Ron Shapazian says his business background will help him seek ways to reduce tax burdens and run an office that is taxpayer friendly. His campaign has been aided by a number of small contributions from a number of taxpayers.

Chuck Brough, a teacher at Fresno State University and Fresno City College, says updating the computer system is a priority. He has made a $10,000 loan to his campaign.

Paul Burruss said his experience with agriculture and experience in auditing school and special districts puts him in a position to help taxpayers. He has campaigned in support of Proposition 13 and is saying, “It’s been decades since an outsider was in that office. It’s time to take a fresh view to see if things can be done better.” To date, he trails the other three in campaign contributions.