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http://www.newspress.com/Top/Article/artic...729646940291203
Candidates for DA face off at forum
May 5, 2006
...Ms. Stanley, his assistant in charge of North County operations since 1991, touted her long career as a prosecutor and familiarity with all aspects of the District Attorney's Office as evidence that she's the best candidate.
"I know how to lead this office," she told the standing-room-only crowd of more than 100 people.
"I have strong and positive partnerships with law enforcement agencies in this county."
Her challengers, however, contend that the office has devoted too many resources to some cases -- such as devoting five attorneys to the unsuccessful prosecution of pop star Michael Jackson on child molestation and conspiracy charges -- and too little staff and money to other matters.
"What's lacking now is leadership in that office," Mr. Hayes asserted. "The Jackson case was a waste of money."
His criticisms were tame, however, compared to those voiced by Mr. Dunlap.
"Contrary to popular belief, the Michael Jackson case was not unique," he contended.
"Its incompetence, while a high-profile embarrassment to the entire county -- nationally and internationally -- was an example of the everyday, common and customary practices of the office."
Mr. Hayes, 60, a former prosecutor who has been a defense attorney in Santa Barbara for three decades, contended that he has a breadth of experience that makes him the voters' best choice.
He vowed to bring new ideas and needed change to the District Attorney's Office if elected...
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http://www.lompocrecord.com/articles/2006/...news/news04.txt
Candidates meet at local forum
May 5, 2006
A veteran prosecutor vying to become Santa Barbara County's first female district attorney faced off for the first time against her two challengers Thursday at a candidate forum in Santa Maria.
And it wasn't exactly cordial.
Assistant District Attorney Christie Stanley is running against Solvang attorney Gary Dunlap and Santa Barbara lawyer Douglas Hayes to succeed retiring District Attorney Tom Sneddon, who will leave office in December after his sixth consecutive four-year term.
Both Hayes and Dunlap criticized the current administration of the agency they hope to lead.
Hayes mentioned the prosecution of pop singer Michael Jackson on child molestation charges - which ended in acquittal - as an example of misused resources.
“What's lacking now is judgment in that office,” Hayes said. “The Jackson case - waste of money.”
Dunlap's remarks were even stronger.
“There's a need for change and a major shakeup in that office,” he said. “...The D.A.'s office is racist. There hasn't been a black deputy district attorney in the past 25 years.”
Stanley denied her opponents' characterization.
“The District Attorney's Office my opponents described tonight is not your Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office,” Stanley said.
She also pointed to her leadership ability and experience.
“The elected position of district attorney is not a place for on-the-job training,” she said. “I am the only candidate with a proven record of public safety.”
The only thing the candidates could agree on was their opposition to splitting the county in two.
Stanley has most of the key endorsements in the race and is the second-highest-ranking prosecutor in the county. She spoke to the crowd in businesslike tones.
Hayes, who has spent much of his career as a trial lawyer, cracked jokes and worked to develop a rapport with the 100 or so people in the audience.
Dunlap continued to position himself as the maverick candidate.
Dunlap has already sued the District Attorney's Office for $10 million and has accused Stanley and other prosecutors of violating his civil rights, inflicting emotional distress and interfering with his law practice by wrongfully prosecuting him on charges of suborning perjury and witness tampering.
A federal judge has set an Aug. 7 trial date for the suit, which is to take place in Los Angeles, after the primary election.
Absentee ballots for the June 6 primary will begin going into the mail Monday.
The new district attorney could be elected June 6. If no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the votes in the primary, the top two vote-getters will compete in a Nov. 7 runoff.
Also at the forum, incumbent Superior Court Judge Art Garcia appeared with his competition, Santa Barbara County Deputy County Counsel Kevin Ready.
Ready took swipes at Garcia for allowing journalists in his courtroom to report on juvenile proceedings.
The incumbent replied that the identities of the juveniles were concealed and that the media access helped shed light on issues of drug abuse and foster care.
Incumbent 5th District County Supervisor Joseph Centeno and challenger Yvette Andrade were also present at the forum. |
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