Candidate for
Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector; County of Sonoma

I believe that transparency is absolutely essential to maintaining the integrity of our governmental institutions. Some of the many steps I have implemented in Sonoma County to ensure public transparency include establishing:

· Citizens' Report an award winning report that details the county's financial condition in plain English.

· Audits of county departments and programs published on the internet.

· Audit Committee review s the results of internal and external audits.

· Debt Policy designed to restrict the use of county debt.

· Citizens Advisory Committee for the Sonoma County Energy Independence Program assists in determining the direction of the program.

In addition, I successfully lobbied the Board of Supervisors to maintain the Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector as an elective office thus ensuring direct accountability to the voters.

Wall Street's reaction to these measures has been positive. Standard and Poor's has raised Sonoma County's bond rating from AA- to AA, which will save millions in future borrowing costs.

I hope you will join me as we continue these programs to ensure a better Sonoma County not only for us, but more importantly for our children and grandchildren. We owe them nothing less. Thank you for your support.