We asked each candidate to answer a few questions so that you can know a little more about their priorities. See responses from other candidates: Elaina Cano.
Why do you want to be the SLO County-Clerk Recorder?
My experience enables me to recruit and protect election workers, to establish a Citizens’ Redistricting Commission and to establish full-service branch offices. My deep commitment to the Constitution, Law and fiscal responsibility above partnership or patronage builds trust on both sides of the political divide. I will be a bulwark against official misconduct. My counsel and representation for Democrats, Republicans and Independents builds trust with people of integrity across the political divide. I’ve long been in the arena of election campaigns. I have understanding of contests and the contestants necessary to be the best neutral umpire.
What is the most important thing that a County-Clerk Recorder does?
The most important function of the Clerk for the survival of our republic as a democracy is to enlist every citizen into well maintained accurate voter rolls, and to help each citizen participate in elections and have their vote counted in elections conducted with integrity, openness, safety and accuracy.
The Clerk-Recorder is the County’s custodian-of-records. County records should be preserved, permanently archived and made available to the public for full access to the public’s business. This is critical to preventing official misconduct.
Timely recording of deeds and maps are critical functions for real property buyers, sellers, developers and title companies.
If elected, what would you hope to accomplish in your first term in office?
I will recruit leaders from each Political Party into each step of our elections and assure each eligible voter is listed once on voter rolls. Use Superior Court Special Master experience to protected machines from compromise. Investigate allegation of vote fraud; if evidenced, provided it for prosecution.
End hidden poll-tax on School, City & CSD election to leave more money for books, teachers, street paving, firefighters and police. Establish full-service North County, South County and North Coast offices of the County Clerk-Recorder. Establish a County Citizens’ Redistricting Commission to conduct all future redistricting of Supervisorial Districts and City Council Districts.
What do you wish more people understood about the role of the Clerk-Recorder in SLO County?
I’m Stew Jenkins. The reason California Statute establishes the office of an Elected County Clerk-Recorder is to require the Clerk-Recorder to understand the people of the County, understand and fulfill their needs, and understand how & where the services of the Office should be delivered — not the other way around. My role as County Clerk-Recorder will be to help the good people working for the Clerk-Recorder to deliver those services where, when and in the manner desired by the people in each region of San Luis Obispo County.
How do you gather the input of the business community in the work of your department?
Knocking on doors. Personal contact individually and in associations. As ClerkRecorder I will hold regular workshops with each industry dependent on the services of the Office, such as the Title Industry, the Realtors’ Industry, Building Contractors & Agencies.
What is the most significant difference between you and your opponents?
With Fifty Years’ experience in the arena, I understand the contests and the contestants. I am a better choice to restore trust as a neutral umpire. My deep understanding of tools available to an independently elected County Clerk-Recorder makes me able to achieve a Citizens’ Redistricting Commission and full-service branch offices for the public.
I have the broadest knowledge of the people of our County, and the deepest knowledge and experience in Election Law and its nesting in the Constitution and history of our County, State and Nation.
My demonstrated character putting principles and integrity above partisanship or personal advantage.