League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Los Angeles County, CA June 8, 2010 Election
	John Lewis Dortch Answers Questions Candidate for Assessor; County of Los Angeles

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Los Angeles County and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. Please provide a brief list of your qualifications in bullet format, using an asterisk (*) to represent a bullet. (No more than 25 words for this section.)

• Experienced Manager, 30 years with the Assessor's Office including 14 years as a senior manager responsible for half of the property assessments in the County and associated public service. Supervised a major division with over 300 employees.
• Educational Background - Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management.

2. What qualities, skills, and experiences make you well-qualified to be an effective Assessor in L A. County? (no more than 125 words total for questions 2 and 3)

With over 30 years on the job, I have risen through numerous promotional levels within the ranks of the office from Appraiser Trainee to Assessor's Divison Chief, a senior management position that I have held for the past 14 years. My duties as Division Chief included the responsibility of managing half of the property assessments in the County as well as the associated public relations and supervision of over 300 employees. I have worked with many local and State officials and leaders of the business community. I have an Advance Appraiser Certificate from the State Board of Equalization and have appraised all types of properties. My broad experience and educational background will enable me to lead the Assessor's Office efficiently and effectively.

3. What strategies will you employ to mitigate the effects of foreclosures and the depressed real estate market, so that property may be reassessed in a timely fashion and tax revenues may be maintained? No more than 125 words total for questions 2 and 3)

The Assessor has a duty to assess properties fairly and accurately as mandated by law. The Assessor cannot place the generation of revenue above that duty. The Assessor is not a defender of the assessment roll!

I would accelerate assessment reviews and expand reviews to include more commercial and industrial properties. I will lower property taxes for property owners who qualify for a reduction.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Until 5:00 p.m. on April 5, 2010, candidates for Assessor must limit their answers to 150 words total for all questions so that a paper Voters Guide may be published. After 5:00 p.m. on April 5, 2010, word limits will no longer apply.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: April 29, 2010 05:17
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