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.”