Ed,

How did serving on the Ventura City Council prepare you for this job?

Hi Brian and all of your readers, it is a pleasure to be here this evening discussing the Ventura County Treasurer - Tax Collector race.

To answer your first question, serving as a member of the Ventura City Council was a very good experience in relation to the position of Treasurer - Tax Collector.

As a candidate for City Council, I have to admit being a bit naive in asking the question, "Why can't government be like a business?" Government should always try to exhibit business like qualities. But the responsibilities and stake holders are much more diverse than a business would ever encounter.

As a member of City Council, I served on the Council's audit and finance committee. We had the responsibility of balancing the budget during very strenuous economic times while maintaining essential city services and programs. Not just the programs that I personally supported, but all the ones that were important to the residents of Ventura.

I am proud that we annually balanced the budget and were the first public agency in Ventura to earn an improved debt rating.

Ed,

The position you are running for is listed as a nonpartisan office on the ballot. Will you or have you accepted the endorsement of any political parties or clubs? Do you think there is conflict in seeking partisan endorsements for a position like Treasurer-Tax Collector?

Yes I have accepted the endorsement of the Ventura County Democratic Central Committee. Since this is a non partisan race, I also spoke to members of the Ventura County Republican Central Committee in regards to their endorsement. Unfortunately, the bylaws of VCRCC prevent them from endorsing a registered democrat in this race.

I have always approached my public service in a non partisan manner. My initial endorsements were from former County Supervisors Judy Mikels and Susan Lacey. While they did not always agree on each issue, what what we know is they agreed on was their passion for Ventura County and their belief in good government. I appreciate having this broad support in a non partisan election.

I have been endorsed by numerous public officials, business and community leaders from all ends of the political spectrum. There is no conflict to seeking broad endorsements.

Ed,

What role do you think the Treasurer / Tax Collector should play in the discussions over pension reforms for County employees?

Ed,

Being from Ventura do you surf? When is the last time you were in the water?

The County Treasurer serves on the Board in relation to investment decisions and fund management. The tax payers elect the board of supervisors to establish policies on budget and contracts. The role of the Treasurer – Tax Collector is to provide accurate advice on the capacity of the fund and future obligations based on contracts and potential alternatives.

The Treasurer should always provide the tax payers and policy makers with accurate information, clear analysis, and sound alternatives. This certainly includes notifying the tax payers and policy makers when there is a potential problem. At the end of the day, it really comes down to knowing you’ve provided the best and most accurate information possible to support the decision process.

Referring back to your question about my experience on City Council, I understand that the current pension system is an issue that requires resolution. Under my leadership, we were the first agency in the County to bring elected officials, city management, and employee representatives to the same table to discuss the current system and possible solutions. I certainly advocate finding solutions to ensure the long term viability of the County and retirement systems.

I am also confidant that every employee at Ventura County is concerned about the financial viability of our County. Working together, it is easier to find the appropriate solution.

I have to admit I have a surf board in my garage that hasn’t been used in over 20 years. More recently, I have enjoyed some body surfing and scuba diving. Unfortunately its been a long time since I’ve hung ten, or even two.

Ed,

Did you support the rules passed by the Board of Supervisors that established qualifications for this position? The rules passed stopped Audra Strickland, who had already declared her intentions, from running for the office.

Yes, I supported the rules but not directed at any one individual. Ventura County was one of the last large Counties to adopt the standards established by the State of California. We all remember that these standards were the result of the issues and problems created in Orange County.

The County Treasurer – Tax Collector is an elected job and not a political position. The same standards should be used in selecting the individual for this office that would be required for any senior financial management position.

Approaching this office, I have treated it as I would a job interview. I am confident of my qualifications and experience for this position.

Ed,

How does your ballot designation relate to what you currently do for work?

Financial Services Officer is a common title. It encompasses individuals who work in banking and financial management who are responsible for credit analysis, structuring of financial products and delivery of financial services. Over my career, I have had broad experience in managing public agency banking, cash management and investment services.

I have held positions in the oversight of audit and compliance of a six billion dollar commercial portfolio. I have worked in numerous senior management positions within finance and banking. Currently, I am working with Ojai Community Bank enhancing its portfolio management and compliance programs, using the above skills and experience.

Since you are only allowed three words in your ballot designation, Financial Services Officer was an appropriate summary.

Who is your favorite economist? Do you like Keynes or Friedman?

Since I worked with John Rutledge at Claremont in the early 80’s, I know he would be disappointed if I didn’t choose him. I have always liked Keynes remark, “In the long run, we’ll all be dead.”

At Bank of America, I worked with Chief Economist John Wilson, who used to say, “If you ever forgot your phone number, an economist is the person who would estimate it for you.”

But enough economist humor! It would be hard to pick a favorite economist, as you’d have to study several approaches, coupled with the current economic climate, to develop your own realistic conclusions.

As a member of the Board of Councilors for the School of Business at CLU, this would be a good time to give a shout out to Dean Chuck Maxey and Dr. Bill Watkins. On a serious note, the economic development community is starting to partner with CLU to strengthen our regional position.

Ed,

Last question: What community service groups or nonprofits have you worked with or have you supported?

There are several segments in the community that I have worked with and supported over the past 20 years.

I am confident that a strong economic foundation benefits everyone in our community. I served as a board member of the Ventura County Economic Association for 11 years and as the Chairman of the organization for three. I was a board member of the Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura County for four years and served as Chairman for a year. During this time, these organizations focused on job creation, affordable workforce housing, small business loan funds, and a positive environment for economic prosperity. In 2004, I served as Co-Chair of the County’s BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure) Task Force. This group brought business, community and political leaders together after Naval Base Ventura County was placed on the closure list. We worked in Washington, DC which saved our naval base with 17,000 jobs and over $2 billion in related economic activity.

I have supported education through being a member of the advisory board for the Ventura Education Partnership (VEP). As a City Commissioner and later Council Member, I helped provide city grants for after school programs in arts and sports within the Ventura Unified School District. I have been a member of the Board of Directors for Casa Pacifica, a public and private partnership creating a home and programs for abused and abandoned children in Ventura County. This is an excellent model of the success and achievements we can accomplish when government and the private sector work together. I am currently a Board Member of the Ventura Boys and Girls Club.

Finally, I have worked with various groups dedicated to providing housing, health and human services to the under served members of our community.

I am the type of individual who has always volunteered; going back to being a hall monitor in elementary school. In all seriousness, it is not my nature to see a problem and sit on the side lines and throw in a few grenades. I have to roll up my sleeves, get involved, and work for a solution.

Ed,

Thanks for coming on my blog and taking my oddball questions. Good luck on the campaign trail.

Brian,

Thank you for the opportunity to provide my thoughts and perspectives to your readers.

Although we did not have a chance to cover all of the aspects of this election and the position of Ventura County Treasurer-Tax Collector, I will stay an active participant in this blog.

Cheers,

Ed

Isn't this the same guy who sat on the City of Ventura's Investment Committee, as a member of the City Council? The same committee that decided to invest $10 million in high risk corporate notes with Washington Mutual and Lehman Brothers? You know, the two companies that went belly up when the financial markets collapsed.

And now he wants to be in charge of the County's multi-million dollar investment portfolio as Treasurer-Tax Collector? No thanks!

Ed Summers stated, "I understand that the current pension system is an issue that requires resolution. Under my leadership, we were the first agency in the County to bring elected officials, city management, and employee representatives to the same table to discuss the current system and possible solutions. I certainly advocate finding solutions to ensure the long term viability of the County and retirement systems."

Voters need to be reminded that in 2008 Ed Summmers voted in favor of a budget-busting RETROACTIVE pension increase for Ventura firefighters. There was no fiscal analysis or identified sources of funding to pay for this unnecessary and excessive pension increase that allows local firefighters to retire in their fifties at up to 90% pay. This was done after the local economy and housing market had begun to collapse. The City of Ventura had already attempted to pass an illegal 911 fee, arguing that additional money was needed to fund local public safety departments, yet even when they knew that public safety costs were unsustainable they went forward with a pension increase anyway. This was a reckless and fiscally irresponsible decision.

It is ridiculous for Ed Summers to now flip-flop on this issue, especially when his vote is the source of the problem. He touts that under his "leadership" the city brought people to the table to discuss the system and possible solutions. Gosh, that's seems to be too little, too late. A better idea would have been not giving away massive pension increases in the first place.

In the meantime, vital city services are being slashed in order to fund these bloated pension giveaways. Voters can thank people like Ed Summmers for closing their libraries while simultaneously boosting pension benefits for some of the highest paid public employees in the nation.

Ed Summers has a lot to answer for, and masquerading himself as a pension reformer is an insult to voters who know better. By 2008 there were already plenty of examples of cities and counties that were having fiscal problems due to unsustainable pension costs. Summers was either uninformed or simply didn't care about the fiscal consequences of his vote. Either way, it shows that he has poor judgment and is in no way qualified to be Treasurer-Tax Collector.

I heard all of the candidates for Treasurer-Tax Collector at one of the local forums. There were several that I thought might be qualified by experience. Ed Summers consistently showed he had a thorough and accurate understanding of what the job entails and was honest with the audience about what the Treasurer-Tax Collector could and could not do in the job. One example: he pointed out that it was the Board of Supervisors - and not the Treasurer-Tax Collector - who negotiated contracts with the county employees despite the fact a couple of the other candidates mislead listeners into believing that this job had responsibility for that function and they alone could therefore protect taxpayers. Ed paid more respect to voters by explaining the limits of the job rather than retreating into the comfortable (and misleading) cliches aimed at gaining tax payer votes that at least two of the candidates chose to push forward.

It became apparent that there were really only a couple of the candidates that might have the right stuff (education, experience, communication experience and positive personality) to get the job done effectively. Ed Summers seems to be the very best of the bunch and has my vote.

It sounds like Ed Summers likes to point the finger and not accept responsibility for his own actions. He did the same thing as a member of the Ventura City Council. That's why he didn't get reelected.

I don't think this is the kind of person we need in this position. I'm voting for Steven Hintz. At least he seems willing and able to accept the job responsibilities and the accountability to the voters that this position entails. Ed Summers obviously does not.

I agree with the above post. I live in Ventura and never cared for Summers when he was on the City Council. He was a big proponent for converting Cemetery Park on Main Street back to a cemetery at a cost of $6 million, as I recall. Talk about a waste of taxpayer dollars.

He also supported the lavish pension increases for the firefighters when the City was looking at layoffs, closing libraries and parks, and cutting vital services like tree trimming, street maintenance, park maintenance, etc.

This guy doesn't seem to have a clue how to manage government finances and I, for one, wouldn't trust him in such a key financial position wih Ventura County. No on Summers for sure!

I thought the firefighters endorsed Hintz. Is that not true?

No, the firefighters have not endorsed me. They are on Summers' list.

Of course the firefighters support Summers. After all, he caused the City budget to go broke by giving them everything they asked for (and more) in their pension plan in exchange for their endorsement in the last election. The firefighters union also put up all kinds of signs around town in support of Summers, Monahan, Brennan, and Tracy (who, coincidentally, all voted in favor of the sweetheart pension deal).

This kind of thing stinks to high heaven. I will be voting for Judge Hintz too. Enough is enough!