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Guest opinions: Two views on candidates for county treasurer

Mandelkern has experience on college board

Editor:

Dave Mandelkern is a superb choice for county treasurer-tax collector.

I've served with Dave on the San Mateo County Community College Board for six years. He has integrity and he takes his responsibility as a board member very seriously. He works as part of our team, but when necessary he will stand up and speak his mind for what he believes is right.

Dave and the other trustees oversee a $100 million annual college district budget that we balance every year. We are accountable for over $500 million in capital improvement funds.

Dave serves the entire county as a twice-elected community college trustee, and that makes him uniquely qualified to serve in the countywide office of county treasurer-tax collector. Please join me in supporting Dave Mandelkern.

Richard Holober, trustee, San Mateo County Community College District

Guilbault said to give good advice to South S.F.

Editor:

I was disappointed by your endorsement of Dave Mandelkern for county treasurer/tax collector.

I was surprised that the editorial board would support some ill-conceived idea that I believe could be harmful to the county. For example, the pooling of our funds with another entity could be dangerous. The co-mingling of our county rules and investment guidelines with another non-compliant entity needlessly puts our county's funds at risk.

Only someone with little experience investing public funds would believe this could lead to cost savings. The reason our state constitution mandates that each county have an independent treasure's office is to maintain independent accountability and control over the excess funds placed under the treasurer's oversight. Investment rules and guidelines are intended to insure compliance with good management practices, not to be used as steadfast investment triggers.

According to a presentation to the City Council, the South San Francisco treasurer credited Richard Guilbault's advice and guidance for saving the city as much as $40 million during fiscal year 2009/2010 by avoiding the consequences of the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy.

I can't imagine there is a better endorsement than proven results and time-tested experience. That's why I am voting for Richard Guilbault for treasurer/tax collector, and I urge others to do the same.

Katherine Strehl, Laurel Avenue, Menlo Park