Q&A with county treasurer candidates

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Incumbent Pinal County Treasurer Dolores “Dodie” Doolittle is running against GOP candidate Steven Boyd. Both were asked the same questions; their answers follow.

Republican candidate for Pinal County Treasurer

Name: Steven L. Boyd

Age: 64

Occupation: Retired

Residence: San Tan Valley

Family: Four children, eight grandchildren

Education: Freshman in college

Hobbies: Gardening

Favorite quote: “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.” – The Golden Rule

Heart’s desire: It would be wonderful if individuals running for public office would always consider themselves to be “servants to the people and not masters of the people.”

Political experience: 30 years confronting politicians. Unsuccessful run in 1990 for county commissioner in Utah.

What is your biggest election challenge?

Since I am running for the office of treasurer, I’m in hopes that I will be able to convince people of the need of conservative fiscal management of taxpayer money.

Why should Maricopans vote for you?

I consider myself to be an honest person. I have high ethical standards and my parents embedded strong moral principles in my young mind as a child: Principles I maintain today.

What is the most pressing issue facing Maricopa? What would you do about it?

The mayor of Maricopa has been rated by a national association known as Americans for Prosperity; the founder being Tom Kenny, a No. 1 favorite of big government and big spending,

What is the main role of the county treasurer?

To collect taxes from varying taxing districts. To notify and collect property taxes, also reviews and approves or disapproves the Pinal County school superintendent’s annual budget.

I believe the treasurer also plays a key role in judging the viability of board of supervisors expenditures.

The treasurer has the responsibility to invest in safe and appropriate investment avenues. The excess monies collected along with any accrued interest into time tested and highly accredited institutions with a reasonable yield.

What is the most pressing issue facing Maricopa and Pinal County? What would you do about it?

Fiscal responsibility, proper and appropriate use of the people’s money.

There is no such thing as government money, there is only taxpayer money. I believe it is the responsibility of elected officials to protect the public from the officials themselves, it is not uncommon that some people develop ever-increasing hat sizes that tend to increase when they receive a little authority.

To avoid this, one must maintain uncompromising moral standards and principles of ethical behavior and honesty. To act in any other way is to lose one’s self respect, also the respect of their spouse and children. Not to mention the respect of the community the individual swore by oath to uphold.

Democratic candidate for Pinal County Assessor

Name: Dolores “Dodie” Doolittle

Age: 54 

Occupation: Pinal County Treasurer

Residence: Gold Canyon

Family: Married to Terry for 18 years; five children, seven grandchildren. 

Education: Bachelor of Science in business administration from Arizona State University, certificate in public policy and management from University of Arizona, and a chancellor’s certificate in public administration in government finance from University of Missouri.

Hobbies: Sudoku puzzles, reading mystery novels, travel and making salsa for family and friends.

Favorite quote: “With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan …” – Abraham Lincoln

Heart’s desire: For my grandchildren to have the opportunity for a quality education, be prosperous and give back to the communities they grow up in.

Political experience: Serving as Pinal County Treasurer since 2004; president of the Arizona Association of Counties.

What is your biggest election challenge?

I want to provide information to voters that will help them understand the duties of the treasurer. As treasurer, I am the only candidate with the education, experience and proven dedication to perform the administrative, financial and statutory duties.

The treasurer is a fiscal officer who protects and invests taxpayer dollars. In November the voters have an opportunity to invest in the future of Pinal County by electing a treasurer who is knowledgeable, conservative and willing to make hard decisions in the best interest of the citizens who have chosen to live here and raise their families.