Clerk runs elections

EDITOR:

Mr. Hettrick, in announcing his candidacy for county clerk, stated his desire to help in lobbying before the 2011 Legislature on behalf of Douglas and other counties.

In his letter of May 12 he expounds on the lobbying issue.

I do not question his lobbying prowess, but feel a member of the Legislature would be more impressed by his stature as a former co-speaker of the assembly, assembly minority leader or deputy chief of staff to the governor than by his being a county clerk.

So why the need to oust Mr. Thran?

Mr. Hettrick, in his letter, furthers his qualifications for the position of County Clerk by citing his financial experiences.

I feel this is a valid point but wish to further my concerns by pointing out one of the myriad duties of the county clerk is that of election administrator.

While there is no law forbidding this, I feel common sense dictates this responsibility should not be entrusted to any individual considered as a major player in any political party. I feel such a situation, regardless of the individual's integrity, can only lead to questions of impropriety, possible lengthy and costly legal action and a heightened of any dissension which may exist within a community.

Maybe Leona Pchelkin is correct in thinking the position of County Clerk should be a hired position rather than an elected position.

I, as an independent voter, also wish to point out that Assembly Minority Leader Hettrick, while serving as the representative for the citizens of Douglas County, initiated Assembly Bill 428.

This bill was described as a "brazen attempt to bludgeon the initiative process" and an attempt to prevent, or discourage, citizen groups from using the ballot process to control growth.

Fortunately this bill was never enacted.

Sanford E. Deyo

Minden