Editor’s note: This is second of a two-part series featuring the candidates for Mariposa County Assessor/Recorder.
The two candidates seeking the office of Mariposa County Assessor/Recorder recently participated in a forum to discuss their visions for the office.
The candidates are Jenifer Canter, a former employee of the office, and Tammie Guenthart, who is serving in the role after being appointed by the Mariposa County Board of Supervisors following the exit of former Assessor Vince Kehoe, who left the office before finishing out his elected term.
The forum was recorded by KRYZ Radio and is airing on the station over the next month or so.
Following is the second part of a summary about how the candidates answered the many questions posed during the forum.
The candidates were asked about living in a small community and what types of community service they have been involved in as well as how they would encourage their employees to get involved.
Guenthart said she has been heavily involved with 4-H, FFA and volunteers at the fair each year as an animal show clerk. She’s also been on the sheriff’s posse for 20 years, saying she thinks “that is important” and noting they do fire evacuations and more.
She said her employees belong to various local service clubs and more.
“I just think it is very important to give back to your community,” said Guenthart.
“Community involvement is definitely key,” said Canter.
Canter and her husband have been involved in coaching youth sports for the last 10 to 15 years, she is in Soroptimists, Little League and Manna House “where I continue to serve. That has shaped how I expect government to interact with the public. I know what it is to rely on government support and that experience shaped how I approach public service with fairness and accountability and care for people.”
She said she would “definitely encourage and support staff to be involved” with local groups.
The next subject was about spending taxpayer funds and how careful offices need to be. They were asked if there are steps that can be taken to tighten the budget or if it is tight already.
Canter said “the assessor’s office runs a tight ship” as it stands. “I feel like the assessor’s office does a really good job of manging their funds.”
She said there are steps being taken to update technology that should help save funds.
Guenthart said the assessor’s office does “run a very tight budget. We don’t have extras. We don’t waste money in our office.”
Even though the focus of the discussion was about the assessor’s office, the two were asked how, in their opinion as citizens, they would assess how the Mariposa County government functions overall.
“We kind of lay low in our office,” she said. “We don’t get involved in county politics.”
She did say she supports “some of the things the county supervisors do” and “some I don’t agree with. But I am just one person.”
Canter said she believes “the county government does a pretty good job” but added “there will always be in this rural, small town an underlying feeling of a lot depends on who you know and I would like to see that done away with.”
She added: “I think the biggest frustration I am hearing in talking to people is the fact service tends to depend on who you know or maybe how pleasant you are when you go into the office … I feel like people get frustrated not feeling heard.”
Next asked was in the future, what are their plans and would they run again when the time comes?
She said if elected, she takes the role “very seriously.”
Canter said she would expand training to the clerk staff to be more familiar with the Board of Equalization.
She thinks the board of supervisors should go through the Board of Equalization training. She feels that would add “confidence” in the public that “transparency” is paramount when determining property values.
Canter would also like to see more notice given to property owners to let them know when officials are coming to do assessments. She also would like to see online tools expanded to give more public access to information.
She also would like to see access to public records improved by digitalizing all of the records.
“It all comes down to helping the taxpayers,” said Canter.
As for running again, she said “time will tell,” but added, “I will definitely finish my term.”
She feels when people do retire before their terms are up, it causes a loss of trust from the public.
“I don’t know about running again,” said Guenthart. “That’s going to be in the future.”
She did say they are working toward better digitalization of records.
Guenthart said the office emphasizes privacy in the files and as for the appeals process, she said the office “has no oversight” over that because the clerk of the board of supervisors handles that issue.
She added the public can request documents online and said recent computer upgrades has improved online access for the public.
The next question was how each person would handle someone from the public who was upset when they came into the office.
“I’ve had a few of those,” said Guenthart. “You have to stay calm. You have to be sure in your arguments. You have to be factual. People will understand that more than anything.”
She said everyone who has had issues “has left happy with our service and our answers.”
“I am a generally agreeable person,” said Canter. “I think you just have to stand in correctness … and patience. Give them time to speak their grievances and give them the respect of listening before you make any kind of judgment call or direction they should take.”
The next question was what happens if property owners are angry or won’t allow them to come onto the property.
“That definitely happens,” said Canter.
She said one time, in Don Pedro, a person “came out with a gun. And immediately you just apologize and you try to explain why you are there but most times it is beyond that and you move on. It’s not that important to try to get the photo … and put yourself in harm’s way.”
Guenthart said “most of the time, we are already on their property when they confront us … if an appraiser is asked to leave, we leave. We work with people.”
The final question of the forum was about their plans to make sure there is public outreach and the public is informed of critical information.
Guenthart said the office “is what creates the tax bill. What funds the school, what funds the county. So it starts with us and it is very important.”
As for informing the public, Guenthart said they try to put out any new information on the website.
“We just try to keep them informed the best we can,” said Guenthart.
Canter said the office is “instrumental” in “establishing the values” that “secures” the funds for government to operate and “that drives everything.”
She said “public outreach is of the utmost importance” and many people don’t realize how the office functions.
Canter said she wants to make changes to the website and have a dedicated Facebook page.
The two candidates then had their closing statements.
Guenthart said “she wanted to bring the focus back to what truly matters … the people of Mariposa County and the integrity of the assessor/ recorder’s office.”
She said she has “dedicated my career to this office” for more than 22 years.
Guenthart said she has “learned every facet” of the office “and dedicated myself to serving this community with accuracy, fairness and transparency. This is not just a job to me, it’s a responsibility that I take seriously every single day.”
She said “what sets her apart is my investment in the community. I care deeply about the people we serve … this election is about continuity, stability and proven capability. It’s about choosing someone who knows the job …”
Canter said “our votes do matter, especially at the local level. The assessor/recorder doesn’t just serve property owners. The office is responsible for determining the taxable value of business properties.”
She noted the office is also responsible for birth, marriage and death certificates so it “touches every area of the voter’s lives here in Mariposa County.”
“We all deserve government that shows up with respect and fairness and that’s what I’m running to provide.”
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