Democrat George Chandler is running for Los Alamos County Assessor and stopped by the Los Alamos Daily Post Monday to answer questions about the local election. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Staff Report
Democrat George Chandler is running for Los Alamos County Assessor. He recently stopped by the Los Alamos Daily Post to answer questions about the local election.
This is part of a series of Q&As with political candidates that the Post will publish ahead of the Nov. 8 General Election.
POST: How long have you lived in Los Alamos?
CHANDLER: 48 years
POST: Where do you work?
Chandler: Retired from LANL in 2001. After graduating from law school in 2004, I formed Chandler Law of Los Alamos, which has been closed down as a business although I still retain my law license.
POST Why are you running for County Assessor?
CHANDLER: The incumbent has termed out and I want to make sure the office has competent leadership. I believe that the key ingredient of good government is when ordinary citizens take on the duties of an elected office. It is an important way to bring on-the-ground reality to the professionals who staff our government.
POST: What do you believe is the most important role that the County Assessor plays in Los Alamos County?
CHANDLER: To bring credibility to the collection of property taxes.This follows from ensuring the office is managed well, the employees are adequately compensated, assessments are accurate and up-to-date, that complaints and protests are handled fairly, diligently, and according to the law, the public is kept informed about aspects of the tax system such as exemptions, and that data is collected, managed, and disclosed where appropriate according to law and best management practices.
POST: What skills and experience do you have that you believe would be beneficial to the position?
CHANDLER: I have degrees in Physics and Law, management experience at the Lab and at the County during my elected terms as Assessor and Municipal Judge, and I served as the Assessor from 1991 through 1994 and received the required training (which is now certainly out-of-date!).
POST: What previous community involvement have you had in Los Alamos and outside of the community?
CHANDLER: 16 years total in elected office in Los Alamos: 8 years on the County Council 4 years as Assessor, and 4 years as Municipal Judge. I was in the Los Alamos Civitan Club for 25 years, served as President 4 times. I recently served on the Steering Committee for the rewrite of the Development Code. As an attorney I have advocated for criminal justice reform as a member of the legislative committee of the New Mexico Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, served over 8 years as a member of the Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission, and am continuing to volunteer on several committees of the ATJ. I have been a member of the American Civil Liberties Union for 50 years, and I was a Pilot and Second Lieutenant in the Los Alamos Wing of the Civil Air Patrol for several years.
