Dai Meagher has decided not to run for Treasurer-Tax-Collector. Today is the last day to file papers, instead Meagher has issued a statement that says,  he would like to  thank his supporters for their trust and encouragement as he contemplated serving my community as Treasurer-Tax Collector.  ” After careful deliberation I determined I could not fulfill commitments to my clients, to the several community organizations I serve, or to my wife and son, were I to pursue this office at this time.

Over the past few years I have come to know Mrs. Vernon, and I can personally attest that she is among the nicest persons I’ve met-and so the impact of another contentious and close election on both our families is something I’m glad to avoid.

As a CPA and auditor there are changes that I would like made for the benefit of the office of Treasurer and the citizens it serves.   Those changes are:
1) Re-establish the “Treasury Oversight Committee” – to enhance public accountability.
2) Prohibit further use of the personal name of the treasurer as the payee for tax payments-a practice long abandoned by most other counties (for obvious internal-control reasons.)
3) Enhance the treasury investment reports with additional details and analysis, and with improved readability.
4) Adopt conflict of interest policies that prohibit an elected Treasurer from unfairly or inappropriately helping to elect their successor.
These proposed changes are effectively changes to the policies that Mrs. Vernon inherited from her predecessor.  So I’ve determined I just need to be a little more patient in allowing our current Treasurer to implement these changes herself.