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Judge OKs ballot statement for supervisor candidate
STORY TOOLS 
More from Other NewsSocorro Lopez Hanson, who is running against incumbent Kathy Long to represent the 3rd District on the county Board of Supervisors, will get her candidate statement on the ballot after all, a judge ruled this morning.
All candidates, if they pay the printing fee, are allowed to submit a statement of up to 200 words to be placed on the ballot. The statement, however, can only describe their own opinions and qualifications, and cannot refer to any other candidate.
Lopez Hanson's initial statement was rejected by County Clerk Phil Schmit for violating that rule, after Long brought the matter to Schmit's attention. Lopez Hanson's statement did not refer to Long by name, but it did include phrases like, "It is time to set political games aside," and "It is time for a strong, courteous supervisor."
Lopez Hanson challenged Schmit's action in Superior Court, and at a hearing this morning, her lawyer and a county attorney told Judge Harry Walsh they had agreed on a compromise statement. They edited the first paragraph to remove any possible references to Long.
"That was my intention all along," Lopez Hanson said after the hearing. "My statement had nothing to do with the current supervisor. It only had to do with my intentions."
Lopez Hanson said she was satisfied with the settlement, although she's not pleased that she'll have to spend about $5,000 in legal fees, on top of the $1,675 to place her statement on the June 3 ballot.
The first paragraph of Lopez Hanson's revised statement, as approved by Walsh, reads:
"It is time for change. I will be a supervisor who will represent all of the 3rd District. I will be a strong, courteous supervisor who will treat everyone with respect."
The first paragraph of Lopez Hanson's original statement read:
"It is time for change. It is time for a supervisor who will represent all of the 3rd District. It is time to set political games aside and focus on what is best for all of the district's residents. It is time for a strong, courteous supervisor who will treat all with respect."
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Posted by Nosmo_King on March 28, 2008 at 12:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Kathy Long has been an excellent Supervisor.
Posted by AskingQuestions on March 28, 2008 at 10:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Kathy Long represents ALL of the 3rd District and always has. She makes it her goal to be seen and be accessible to every community in this geographically large district. Ms Lopez Hanson I respect you and believe you have been an excellent trustee. But our 3rd district has been excellently served and there is no need for a change.
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