March 28, 2024 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Election 2014: Jeffrey Prang & John Morris Go Head-To-Head For L.A. County Assessor:

Today’s runoff election for Los Angeles County Assessor remains a close contest between West Hollywood Councilman Jeffrey Prang and Deputy District Attorney John Morris.

In the June primary, Prang picked up 18.3 percent of the vote to Morris’ 16.6 percent while they fended off 10 other candidates seeking to manage Los Angeles County’s $1.2 trillion property tax roll.

Both men say they hope to overhaul an office tainted by the last elected assessor, John Noguez, who is awaiting trial on corruption charges.

Prang has built a bigger campaign war chest and pulled in $259,000 in new contributions between July 1 and Oct. 18, according to campaign disclosure documents. Morris reported $129,000 in contributions during the same time period.

Prang cites his experience working as a special assistant in the assessor’s office and helping to lead reform efforts as critical to taking the reins as head of the department. He joined the office just weeks before Noguez took a paid leave of absence from the role and also worked in the assessor’s office in the 1990s. Prang has served on West Hollywood’s City Council since 1997.

“The Office of the Assessor needs a new leader who will restore the public trust, guarantee that taxpayers are assessed fairly and provide the best public service,” Prang said in a campaign statement.

Morris says his outsider status and 24 years of work as a prosecutor and manager within the District Attorney’s Office better position him to push through reforms. His campaign has also highlighted his experience as a real estate attorney and real estate license as important qualifications.

“Over the last 24 years, I have worked all over L.A. County protecting citizens and businesses from crime and fraud,” Morris said.

Morris is endorsed by Supervisor Michael Antonovich, the Los Angeles Times, the Los Angeles Daily News and its sister papers — the Long Beach Press-Telegram, the Pasadena Star-News, the Daily Breeze and the San Gabriel Valley Tribune. He is also supported by former Gov. George Deukmejian and the mayors of Diamond Bar, Walnut and West Covina, among other local officials.

Prang has assembled a long and high-profile list of political endorsements, including Attorney General Kamala Harris, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., state Controller John Chiang and more than a dozen members of Congress, including retiring Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Beverly Hills. County Supervisors Don Knabe, Mark Ridley-Thomas and Zev Yaroslavsky and supervisor-elect Hilda Solis are also backing him, as are Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, 13 of 15 Los Angeles City Council members and three former county assessors.

Noguez has been on a paid leave of absence, collecting roughly $200,000 in annual salary since his arrest in October 2012. He spent nearly five months in jail before posting $1.16 million bail.

Noguez is charged with dozens of felony counts related to illegally lowering property tax assessment for campaign contributors in wealthy Westside neighborhoods. A hearing to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial is still pending.

As an elected official, Noguez cannot be fired by the county. A ballot measure that would allow the Board of Supervisors to appoint an assessor, rather than having one elected to the role, was defeated by 78 percent of voters in 2012.

“The assessor is an elected position because taxpayers wanted the official in charge of valuing their property to be directly responsible to them,” Morris said.

in News
Related Posts

 (Video) Philz Coffee Set to Close Westside Location Next Month

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

The Franchise Recently Made Headlines for Changing Headquarters @smmirrornews Philz is closing its Santa Monica shop #coffeeaddict #coffee #coffeeshop #losangeles...

Fleurs et Sel Bakery Opens Storefront in West Adams, Welcomes Customers Three Days a Week

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Indulge in Freshly Baked Cookies at the New West Adams Location Fleurs et Sel Bakery, known for its delectable cookies...

Easter Specials Guide: Brunch Spots, Desserts, and More in West Los Angeles

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Discover the Best Easter Eats and Treats in LA for Your Holiday Celebration Easter is almost here, so here are...

Famous Literary Critic and Palisadian Passes Away at 92

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

A Memoriam Post Stated She Overturned Views on T. S. Eliot, Ezra Pound and Other Canonized Artists By Zach Armstrong...

Mixed-Use Development Set for Sloping Property along Chautauqua Boulevard

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

“Canyon Place” Is Set to Include Two Apartment Units and 1,415 Sq. Ft. of Office Space By Zach Armstrong A...

Over Five Miles of Venice Blvd. to Temporarily Close, Become Public Park in April

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

The Initiative, Which Started in 2010, Aims to Connect Communities and Promote Sustainable Transportation Options On Sunday, April 21 from...

(Video) Workers Strike at Luxury Hotel in Downtown Santa Monica

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Meanwhile, Unite Here Local 11 Recently Announced a Contract Was Ratified at 34 Hotels @smmirrornews Workers are striking at Proper...

(Video) Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE at the Beyond Fest Screening...

Historic Union Contract Ratified by Thousands of Hotel Workers At 34 Hotels

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

UNITE HERE Local 11 Negotiates Agreement Ensuring Wage Increases  Hotel workers, who spearheaded the largest hotel strike in modern U.S....

Teen Kung Fu Coming to Pali Rec Center

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

This 8-week session, priced at $160, commences in April 2024 Palisades Recreation Center introduces Teen Kung Fu classes, fostering a...

After Securing $200K Grant, City Embarks on Action Plan for Older Adults, People with Disabilities and Caregivers

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

The City Will Engage Experts, Nonprofit Partners, Commissioners, and Stakeholders to Spearhead the Planning Process The city of Santa Monica...

City Commences Phase 2 of Beach Restoration Project

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

The Project Will Enlarge the Habitat for Significant Native Species, Including the Federally Threatened Western Snowy Plover Phase 2 of...

Caltrans Extends Closure on Topanga Canyon Boulevard Due to Mud and Rockslide

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

PCH Closure on March 26 Adds to Local Road Closures, Seek Alternative Routes The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has...

Animal Rights Groups Demand an End to Turtle Racing at Brennan’s Pub

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

The Organization Says Its Tried to Contact the Westside Bar for Months By Zach Armstrong Among its numerous entertainment events...

SMC Unveils Spring 2024 Issue of Acclaimed Literary Journal, Author Readings Coming in April

March 24, 2024

March 24, 2024

The Issue Presents a Mix of New, Returning, and Debut Writers, Reflecting Diversity and Enduring Relationships Santa Monica College announced...