EDC assessor, judge candidates make case to be elected
By Kathryn Reed
STATELINE — The two candidates for El Dorado County assessor squared-off Wednesday before an audience that included their boss Tim Holcomb, who is retiring.
Retired El Dorado County Judge Gene Rasmussen and sitting Judge Suzanne Kingsbury were also at the Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe forum at Harveys Lake Tahoe.
Keith Brooks had it easy because his opponent for the judgeship based in Cameron Park, Robert Huckaby, chose not to attend.
Michael Gordon and Karl Weiland
All three candidates were given time to make an opening statement, then answered a few questions before making a closing statement. All will be on the June 8 ballot in California.
Karl Weiland is the current assistant assessor and has been endorsed by Holcomb. Michael Gordon is the senior appraiser in the assessor’s office. Brooks was appointed to the bench almost a year ago, and therefore is the incumbent.
Neither assessor candidate had one defining statement that set him apart from his opponent. It was that Weiland threw out more statistics, was a bit more polished and had longer answers than Gordon.
Weiland is the No. 2 guy in the office. Gordon is lower on the totem pole, but the most experienced appraiser.
When asked about assessments on property in the Angora burn area, both said Proposition 8 should be applied so people are not adversely affected with higher rates. But that isn’t what happened. And people affected by the fire were in the room.
Both said it’s up to the county tax collector to go after delinquent taxpayers.
Brooks primarily handles civil litigation, but said it is imperative judges understand all facets of the law because they have to fill in for their peers.
Keith Brooks
He is familiar with Tahoe, having worked in the casinos out of college, met his wife on the South Shore and they have a house in Lake Tahoe.
Brooks is not sure penalties for crimes will go by the wayside even in a depressed economy because it costs money to deal with the issue. He does see community service as a potential solution, though not completely.
He believes in a holistic approach when it comes to dealing with juvenile crime – like drug court and Court Appointed Special Advocates.
These candidates have been invited back to the South Shore next week. The South Tahoe Chamber of Commerce is hosting a forum for the offices of El Dorado County judge, sheriff and assessor on May 25 at 6pm at the South Tahoe Senior Center at 3052 Lake Tahoe Blvd. in South Lake Tahoe.
These candidates are running for office in CALIFORNIA! Why was this held at a NEVADA casino? Once again SLT loses business to the casinos!
FYI Steven, the Casinos have the meeting space necessary to hold such a forum!!
Also FYI, they held the STPUD forum there also. Harvey’s is where the Soroptimists International of South Lake Tahoe meet and the only place, according to them when asked, big enough to hold all their members, candidates and public that show up.
I am sure that if a site was available in SLT CA side that its use would be considered. I know I would prefer that as an option. So please come forth with ideas and places. Too bad the hole in the ground remians so. The need is there just requires input for adequate space etc. Thanks for the feedback. I hope something pops up as our elected officials, etc. need to be “IN SLT CA” for monthly forums and Q&A.
INN BY THE LAKE, EMBASSY, EVEN THE SCHOOLS GYM ,CHURCHES.
If you don’t like the fact that the meeting is in NV, then don’t vote for the candidates who attend it. This is an optional forum for the candidates, not mandatory. You should also be thankful to the soroptomists that they are willing to host the forum at their own expense. Gee guys, this is a positive thing that they are doing this and everyone is so stuck in the negative. If you hate this town and everything that goes one here, either run for office and fix it or move to north shore. I’m sure they would love to have you.
Voicemail, as you stated, the forum with the Soroptomists is optional. They are always most gracious in hosting candidates running for all the different elected offices. It just so happens they meet during lunch and the casino provides the room and meal. During the Nov. elections,a forum was also held at the Middle School for those running for LTUSD and LTCC seats. The place of the forum changes depending on the host.
Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe has been meeting at Harrah’s for nearly 40 years. Their membership is comprised of both California and Nevada residents. There is no other affordable venue available to an organization of this size. Rotary of SLT meets there too. This is one community. These are organizations that support worthy causes on both sides of the state line.