Some Campaign Issues...

My opponent has raised several campaign issues. Here, I'd like to address them one by one.

Non-Partisan:
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My opponent has decided to run what he calls a "non-partisan" race.
I'm afraid my opponent does not understand the people of Kootenai County very well.  We are generally conservative, even if our political stripes differ. We recognize that everyone has a seat at the table and we come together to solve the big issues.  If you were to attend a Kootenai County Democrats event, you may even see me in the audience. Good people and good ideas are everywhere. By the way, there are no “Independent” electors and the County Clerk also serves those who exercise their right not to vote.

Open the Budget: 

My opponent has mistakenly stated that the Clerk's office does not allow read-only access to the County's budget software for other elected officials and department heads.
This is absolutely false.  
The Clerk adheres to best practices with a policy of user access to the financial system based on the employee’s job.  Anyone familiar with financial software systems understands this basic user security principle.
The Clerk’s security policy is well documented, supported by an internal audit (led by Pat Raffee), and endorsed by our external auditor, Eide Bailly LLP.  All elected officials department heads and employees have full access to the information related to their jobs and budgetary responsibility. The assertion that necessary access is denied is absolutely incorrect. He might ask Pat Raffee if she has changed her mind on the results of her audit team’s work product.

Fiscal Oversight: 

My opponent has made reference to a supposed "dysfunction" between the Clerk and the Board of County Commissioners creating financial chaos.
Difference of opinion is not dysfunction. The Clerk/Auditor prepares the budget and financials. The Board has the authority to spend.  The Clerk can make recommendations to the Board, but has absolutely no control on how funds are spent beyond his own department budgets. Financial analysis is provided to any elected official, department head, or employee on demand in a timely fashion.  
The Clerk cannot overrule bad fiscal decisions by the Board.

True Transparency:

My opponent has attempted to make the claim that the Clerk's Office is not being transparent. However, if my challenger spent any time reading the two budget books to which he references, he would notice the more recent version contains more commentary, analysis and rich content for readers than the one with a detailed list of expenses.  
Our budget book document has received excellent reviews from the Government Finance Officers Association and won awards.
Eight years ago, during the time of the alleged “superior period of transparency”, there was a large fraud in the Clerk’s division.  Over the course of ten years, an employee embezzled a large sum of money. The individual was prosecuted, convicted, and pays restitution to this day.  
In my opinion, substance is more meaningful over form.
The County actually publishes more financial content than the City of Coeur d’Alene.  The County does not have a “transparency tool” but instead posts real reporting to keep taxpayers updated as to spending and financial condition with commentary to bring greater understanding to the numbers.

Free, Fair, and Accurate Elections:

My opponent has also tried to say that current county elections are lacking in some way.
This one is puzzling.  Our election results are posted to the County’s website in real time as they are counted and verified and I will attest that no one has been charged to vote.  
The voters of Kootenai County are smart and can see beyond the sensationalism.  It is my desire to continue serving all citizens of Kootenai County as your Elected Clerk.