Editor,
I’ve been following with some fascination the race for city treasurer and have listened to what both candidates have had to say about why they should be elected.
Both are sincere people who are genuinely interested in serving our Laguna Beach community.
But at the end of the day, the city treasurer needs to be more than a nice person with good intentions and a local small business. The person we elect as treasurer has to have a solid background not in bookkeeping but in the highly specialized field of public finance, which is entirely different than private-sector investing.
Incumbent Laura Parisi has superior qualifications and credentials that include certified public accountant, certified fixed income practitioner and most importantly certified municipal treasurer. She knows her way around the city ‘s investment portfolio and has presided over many years of conservative, responsible growth.
I for one am unwilling to risk putting responsibility for tens of millions of our tax dollars into the hands of a neophyte with no training in municipal finance, especially when we have a highly qualified and successful incumbent already in place. Laura Parisi is undoubtedly the best choice for Laguna Beach city treasurer.
Marlene A Baker, Laguna Beach
I agree Marlene. Anne McGraw is not qualified nor has she earned the right to manage our City finances. She may be a successful small business bookkeeper but public finances are beyond her level. I am shocked that the council members have endorsed her and find it fiscally irresponsible. If it’s to save money they are acting even more carelessly with our tax dollars than I thought. If it’s time for a change of the City Tteasurer at least supprt an equally qualified or better representative. Don’t go backwards! I vote for tried and true Parisi! Her proven track record has kept us safe and not sorry. Also, she is respected by candidate Judie Mancuso who supports city hall transparency and responsible spending. We could use more government representatives like Laura and Judie!