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Candidate answers critics who accuse him of exaggerating his experience




 

 

Accused
of exaggerating his role as a volunteer at the City Treasurer’s office,
Doug Shultz, who is running to replace longtime incumbent Ken Hugins,
has put out two statements clarifying what his job as a volunteer was
for the city treasurer.

On his website Shultz has posted the following:

Official Statement about “Volunteering as Assistant City Treasurer

“When
Doug Shultz started volunteering in the Escondido Treasury
Department, Escondido City Treasurer Ken Hugins gave him the title
“Assistant City Treasurer,” a voluntary role, as distinguished from an
official or paid role. Mr. Shultz’s role in the Treasurer’s office was
approved by the City Manager, City Attorney and the Human Resources
Department. The title “Assistant Treasurer” was chosen specifically
because it was not confused with any title described in the municipal
code or policy.

 

“Doug
Shultz volunteered his time to serve his city, and in lending his
expertise, not only created real value for taxpayers, but he also gained
valuable experience and awareness of the city’s finances that make him
exceptionally well qualified to serve in the role of City Treasurer. 
It’s discouraging that another candidate would try to diminish Mr.
Shultz for his public service volunteerism.”

Last Wednesday Schultz set out the following clarification to the media:

“Escondido
City Treasurer Ken Hugins appointed Doug Shultz to the title “Assistant
City Treasurer,” a voluntary role, as distinguished from an official or
paid role. Mr. Shultz’s role in the Treasurer’s office was approved by
the City Manager, City Attorney and the Human Resources Department. The
title “Assistant Treasurer” was chosen specifically because it was not
confused with any title described in the municipal code or policy.

 

“Doug
Shultz volunteered his time to serve his city, and in lending his
expertise, not only created real value for taxpayers, but he also gained
valuable experience and awareness of the city’s finances that make him
exceptionally well qualified to serve in the role of City Treasurer. 
It’s discouraging that another candidate would try to diminish Mr.
Shultz for his public service volunteerism.”

 

UPDATED INFORMATION
Since the two items were posted, we received this email from Ken Hugins in reply to an email from the TA in which we said: 
Ken, I’m sure you are aware of the controversy over Doug Shultz and his status when he was volunteering with your office.
I was sent the statement below by the Shultz campaign and wondered if you could confirm the factualness of it. Particularly this sentence: “Escondido City Treasurer Ken Hugins appointed Doug Shultz to the title ‘Assistant City Treasurer,’ a voluntary role, as distinguished from an official or paid role.”
Hugins replied:  
Dave,
Yes I can firm (SIC)  the statement.
Thanks,
Ken Hugins
Informed that the city treasurer confirmed Shultz’s statement issued this week, Ryan Clark commented to the TA that he had sent PRA requests to the city asking for communications about Shultz’s volunteer role.
Clark said, “We have some information from a FOIA request. It states that Doug became a volunteer in March, within the Finance Dept. Perhaps the Finance Dept and Treasurer’s Dept are linked within the city software. It was really odd that our FOIA request didn’t provide something like a formal letter or an e-mail that let the office staff know who Doug was and his role.”  
Editor’s note, Clark is actually referring to a California Public Records Act (PRA) request rather than a Freedom of Information Act request, which is a request of a federal agency.
Clark further stated: “It just seems to me that somewhere, someone ought to have a single piece of paper on City of Escondido letterhead that has Doug’s name and some title tied to the Treasurer’s office with it. If that didn’t happen, then an e-mail notice from someone welcoming Doug to the team. Something.”
Since this is an ongoing story, with both candidates insisting on having the last word, we don’t expect this exchange to end any time soon.
Check this website for the latest.


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