The job of the City Treasurer is to watch over our taxes.

By George "Geb" Small

Do you want our taxes invested in the mortgage market and European banks?

Instead of simply putting our money into a bank account, Treasurers will typically invest these public monies, to try to earn a slightly higher reurn. So far, so good.

Here's the rub -- investing in imprudent vehicles is just not worth the added risk. Why risk it all, for a marginally higher yield? It is simply foolhardy. The last time there was a rub like that, we got the Grand Canyon. Orange County went bankrupt investing in riskier paper when it tried to hit a financial grand slam.

Managing the city of Orange's tax monies is serious business, and right now we should prioritize security over yield.

Right now our investment policy allows for our tax monies to be invested in a wide range of vehicles. Our tax money can even be invested the mortgage market, and European banks! I will reverse that. I will secure our taxes first.

I have a strong background in financial management, and that is why I put in my name to run for this office. After years of shaking my head at the evening news, at 48 years of age, I decided for the first time to officially get involved and be a candidate for Treasurer. This is where I can contribute.

I entered the race long before this financial meltdown started, explaining we need to invest only in safe vehicles. Now more than ever, after first getting a little chiding as a "Chicken Little", I continue to get the word out -- we need to secure our taxes. And now, there's no chiding, but welcome support. I'm not Chicken Little; Chicken Little was wrong. I'm George Small. And I'm running for City Treasurer because I don't want us to have to pay the same taxes a second time.

For years after Orange County went bankrupt, we all had to pay extra sales tax to make up the tax money that had been aggressively invested and lost. Imagine what effect higher sales taxes would have on seniors, small business persons, and twenty-somethings (and so many others of us) who are already on a tight budget!

Trying to outsmart the financial markets is insanity. Stop the insanity.

Please restore security to Orange's treasury, so our money is there when we need it. I first moved to Orange when I was 9 years old, and I enjoy calling it my home. I ask you to join long time residents, new voters, small business persons, tax and accounting professionals and seniors who particularly have encouraged me.

The office of Treasurer is a non-partisan race -- our party affiliation is not even listed on the ballot because this is too important to be mired in politics.

This race is simply a matter of money management philosophy: Do you want our taxes invested in mortgages and European banks?

The George Small policy is to avoid these and other imprudent investments. I will be your voice.

"A Small vote can make a big difference!"

"Think Big, Vote Small!"

(Okay, my slogans may be a little cheesy, but I am serious about this issue...)

Please secure our taxes and vote George Small for Orange City Treasurer.