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Published on 05/11/1998 All articles from this issue

County candidates square off in League of Women Voters election forum

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By Bruce Barton / Town Crier Staff Writer

The often tense exchanges between Santa Clara County District Attorney George Kennedy and his challenger, district attorney's office procecutor Melvin Anderson, highlighted last Wednesday's county candidates' forum at Mountain View City Hall. The forum was sponsored by the local leagues of Women Voters.

In an event that also featured county assessor and sheriff's candidates for the June 2 election, the district attorney's race generated the most heat. Kennedy and Anderson took turns criticizing each other's records. The challenger was relentless in his attempts to portray Kennedy as being soft on "three-strikes" offenders.

Anderson, a prosecutor who claims to more than 90 percent success in convictions, noted Kennedy reduced or did not count prior felony convictions in 543 of 1,025 three-strikes cases.

The incumbent dismissed Anderson's claims and deemed his opponent inexperienced and unqualified. Kennedy said since appointed district attorney eight years ago, Santa Clara County has had the lowest crime rate of any large county. "That can't happen unless the district attorney is doing his job," he said.

Kennedy, 52, who in his campaign literature refers only to Anderson as "opponent," said the district attorney's office "is not the right place to be entering into your first supervisory position."

The office prosecutes approximately 45,000 felony and misdemeanor cases each year.

The assessor's segment ended up being a one-candidate forum for incumbent Larry Stone, the only one who showed. Challenger William Garbett declined to attend, while Virgil Atencio canceled due to a death in the family. Stone said the assessor's office has made "significant progress" since he took over. The office locates all taxable property, identifies ownership and establishes value.

As assessor, Stone, 57, said he's resisted pressure from county supervisors to increase assessments on undeserving properties, and is "opposed to bad legislation that furthers property tax disparity."

Stone said he is committed to performing in a position unfazed by politics, and then proudly claimed he returned $2.2 million in unspent money over the past three years to the county general fund, and "smashed the glass ceiling" on hiring women employees.

The sheriff's segment featured four of five candidates in attendance - Brian Beck, Ruben Diaz, Jose Salcido and Laurie Smith. Candidate Tom Sing, currently an assistant sheriff, called in sick.

Beck, 50, a 29-year veteran of the sheriff's office, said he has commanded every major division within the department. His campaign literature also notes he developed and implemented a Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement task force that he said has accounted for more than 430 arrests of sexual predators in the past three years.

Diaz, 47, an assistant sheriff with 27 years in law enforcement, has described himself in his campaign as "tough cop - good guy." Diaz stressed his community involvement, citing affiliations with such organizations at the United Way and Hope Rehabilitation. For the best success in crime prevention, Diaz said, "you have to be part of the community."

Salcido, 43, a 21-year veteran of the department, has painted himself as the favorite among officers with his slogan, "Ask any cop." He claims endorsements by almost all law enforcement associations in Santa Clara County. "Our department needs change," Salcido said. "Over the past 15 years, I've witnessed a decline in the sheriff's department - this is unacceptable."

Smith, 46, an assistant sheriff, started with the department in 1973, and noted she's a Palo Alto resident. The only woman candidate, her main issues include domestic violence, graffiti abatement, gangs and high-tech crimes.

A League of Women Voters representative read a statement from the absent candidate, Sing. An assistant sheriff, Sing said he wants to "clean up gang hot spots and develop new programs to stop the spread of violence in our neighborhoods."

A second League-sponsored forum examining the state propositions on the June 2 ballot will be held 7-9 tonight at the Los Altos Main Library meeting room, 13 S. San Antonio Road. For more information, call the League of Women Voters, 941-4846.