Candidate Not Mistreated

This is in response to William Tanner’s allegation that he was victimized and abused by my office when he ran unsuccessfully for the office of director of the Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District in 1990 (“Make Elections Process Easier,” March 6). He claims that a law is needed to prevent unfair treatment at the hands of election officials.

Such legislation is unnecessary. All candidates are provided with a written cost estimate. The estimate also contains the warning that it is only an estimate based on printing costs and an unknown number of candidates who will share the cost. Tanner’s estimate was $450 based on two candidates. His actual costs were $903 because he was the only candidate to have a campaign statement. The election division does not have a crystal ball. We have no way to determine in advance how many candidates will actually file and submit a candidate statement.

When Tanner refused to pay his bill, the election division informed him of the circumstances that resulted in his receiving an additional charge for the candidate statement. After he again refused to pay his bill, the election office took the minimum legal steps necessary and won a small claims court decision for the amount owed.

To have allowed him to pay only half the cost of services provided would have been a breach of public trust, a bad precedent and a gift of public funds.

RICHARD D. DEAN

County Clerk and Recorder, Ventura