Rayna Palmer for Pinal County Treasurer 08

WHY RUN FOR PINAL COUNTY TREASURER……..The Reasons for the choice.

An integral part of my job as CEO of the Apache Junction Chamber of Commerce is to be informed and involved in the community, county and state that I reside.  I am committed to that responsibility and am very knowledgeable of the politics of Pinal County.  I read newspapers, research issues, meet with leadership and most of all keep my ear to the ground, listen, listen and listen. 

 I AM CONCERNED:

 The current County Manager and current County Treasurer are married and both in positions of authority and autonomy.  My strong ethics and concern regarding Conflict of Interest cause me great concern regarding this situation.  Are there any Checks and Balances in place to guarantee against potential collusion to perpetrate fraud? 

 As a result of the Stan Griffis fraud case, it can be presumed that the Pinal Co. Treasurer chooses to be uninformed regarding anything outside of the collection of property taxes and conducting tax lien sales.  It is my firm belief, that the Treasurer is obligated by law to the taxpayers of Pinal County to keep track of “all” revenues due the County and certainly should not abdicate that duty to any other office.  When Stan Griffiths was able to manipulate the deposits of revenues, ($600,000) dedicated to a road fund into an account he personally handled, why didn’t the Treasurer miss these funds?  Where are the Checks and Balances?

 The current County Manager has worked for Pinal County since 1981, His WIFE, the current County Treasurer began working for Pinal County in the treasurer’s office in 1991.  Do you think there was a little nepotism going on when she got that position?

 The Pinal County Budget is going deeper and deeper into the “RED.” Are Pinal County elected officials talking to one other to come up with a plan to address decreasing revenues and increasing costs.  As a fiscal conservative I am concerned with the ever increasing growth of government.  Constituents need services, but when does the need balance with the revenue being generated?  I feel that the elected officials of the County, no matter what office, need to convene and dialogue on how the County can be more responsible to the needs of constituents while taking into consideration the burden that higher taxes and higher property valuations are putting on residents.

 Horror stories run rampant in Pinal County from residents who have lost property due to tax liens, (unpaid property taxes)  As I write this information for my web site, I am making every attempt to research and find the reason why so many people are coming to me saying that their property was “stolen.”  Where are the Checks and Balances?  Better yet, where is the customer service?  Why can’t the Treasurer’s office assist in helping these people understand rather than making them “feel like stupid, ignorant, individuals.”  (exact statement from a constituent.)

 The County Treasurer’s Office has not conducted a forensic audit of the “Treasurer’s Office” in the recent past.”    When I called asking for a copy of the most recent audit of the Treasurer’s Office, I was told “the Treasurer does not conduct an audit of her office; an audit of the County is conducted by the County Finance Office.”  That is the same office that allowed Stan Griffiths to personally deposit “Road funds” into an account in which only he and his wife were signers.  (He was able to abscond with $600,000) Where are the Checks and Balances?

Need I go on?

Pinal County Government is in disarray and the voters of this county deserve better.

 Your VOTE for Rayna Palmer – Pinal County Treasurer will give residents a voice in their future.  It is time for change….it makes cents…..

paid for by the Committee to Elect Rayna Palmer – Treasurer 08