While it could be considered a staid position, some amount of innovation has come out of it over the years — whether it be through the technological interest of Warren Slocum or the all-mail ballot pilot of Mark Church. Slocum had an interest in technology and updated voting systems, while pushing for voter participation. Church is a steady hand when it comes to elections and was keen to try the pilot program in the interest of also pushing for participation.
The office can be a place for energetic leadership, fresh ideas and a focus on workforce management through compassion and listening. It is said that an organization’s strength is its workforce, and there has been sufficient evidence that this one has been strained at times over the years. A break may be in order.
When Church was elected, he carried with him experience as a former Millbrae councilmember, a member of the Board of Supervisors and as an attorney. He also brought a family legacy as his father also served in the position. Managing a workforce does take finesse, but also a political touch.
And this office is political, as is any elected position. David Canepa does his homework, and is focusing clearly on the fixing the flaws in the offices — most notably staffing and morale. He is not perfect, however, and can take professional criticism personally to the detriment of communication to the community overall. We hope this is corrected. Jim Irizarry, current assistant assessor-county clerk-recorder and assistant chief elections officer, has always been communicative but, rather than choosing clear-eyed reflection, can be a bit over the top in explaining mistakes or dissent.
Of the two candidates, Canepa has the capacity to bring new energy and ideas, political understanding and a willingness to listen and learn from the people who work at the three offices this position oversees. Its leader will work within the confines of the position and doesn’t necessarily need to elevate its profile. Yet there are times in which new leadership, particularly one that is familiar with the county system, will make a difference.
Canepa has the marks of a true leader. He is smart, hardworking, caring, upbeat and willing to listen. This can go far in such a position, and we believe he will perform well if elected.
So what are David Canepa’s accomplishments to guarantee he can ensure record keeping and ballot tabulation are done quickly and properly? I only remember Canepa as the guy who tried to keep Chick-fil-A from opening in Redwood City and while Chick-fil-A has become a success, can we say the same thing about Canepa? Does he have any accomplishments that benefit American citizens? Wasn’t Canepa one of the supervisors who voted to aid and abet criminals and terrorists by not reporting or cooperating with ICE regarding released non-citizen felons? No thanks, vote for Irizarry, who has already been doing the job.
"rather than choosing clear-eyed reflection, can be a bit over the top in explaining mistakes or dissent."
Irizarry sure can. Remember when he blamed the COVID outbreak in 2021 on employees carpooling? Saying that people have low morale when asked to work long hours or in person is frankly insulting to his workforce. I wonder what more past employees will say about working there if they aren't afraid to speak out.
"He is smart, hardworking, caring, upbeat and willing to listen." If that were the only requirement, there are probably a few hundred thousand qualified candidates in this County. The DJ has gone off the rails. That function requires management skills, not some smiling politician who has never had a job for which accountability is a prerequisite. Oh well, the Dem mouthpiece is fully represented in the DJ. Thanks for misleading our voters!
Irizarry is qualified, experienced and understands what the job entails. Canepa, who has always come off as smooth-talking and untrustworthy, is simply looking for a new job since he's being term-limited off the Board of Supervisors. If the Coroner's position had opened up rather than Mark Church's job, he'd be running for Coroner. The Daily Journal is being swayed by a practiced, smooth-talking politician. The other members of the Board of Supervisors, who actually work with Canepa and know what he's like, are endorsing Irizarry.
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(4) comments
So what are David Canepa’s accomplishments to guarantee he can ensure record keeping and ballot tabulation are done quickly and properly? I only remember Canepa as the guy who tried to keep Chick-fil-A from opening in Redwood City and while Chick-fil-A has become a success, can we say the same thing about Canepa? Does he have any accomplishments that benefit American citizens? Wasn’t Canepa one of the supervisors who voted to aid and abet criminals and terrorists by not reporting or cooperating with ICE regarding released non-citizen felons? No thanks, vote for Irizarry, who has already been doing the job.
"rather than choosing clear-eyed reflection, can be a bit over the top in explaining mistakes or dissent."
Irizarry sure can. Remember when he blamed the COVID outbreak in 2021 on employees carpooling? Saying that people have low morale when asked to work long hours or in person is frankly insulting to his workforce. I wonder what more past employees will say about working there if they aren't afraid to speak out.
Thank you for this thoughtful endorsement.
"He is smart, hardworking, caring, upbeat and willing to listen." If that were the only requirement, there are probably a few hundred thousand qualified candidates in this County. The DJ has gone off the rails. That function requires management skills, not some smiling politician who has never had a job for which accountability is a prerequisite. Oh well, the Dem mouthpiece is fully represented in the DJ. Thanks for misleading our voters!
Irizarry is qualified, experienced and understands what the job entails. Canepa, who has always come off as smooth-talking and untrustworthy, is simply looking for a new job since he's being term-limited off the Board of Supervisors. If the Coroner's position had opened up rather than Mark Church's job, he'd be running for Coroner. The Daily Journal is being swayed by a practiced, smooth-talking politician. The other members of the Board of Supervisors, who actually work with Canepa and know what he's like, are endorsing Irizarry.
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Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
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