There is lots of buzz about this "weird" but not surprising brouhaha going on in Harris County. Bettencourt announces his resignation just one month after he was re-elected. Late Friday he resigned, he says, to pursue a private business venture.
"I have spoken with Judge Emmett and told him of my intention to tender my resignation before Christmas. I want to give the Court time to address the vacancy and ensure an orderly transition," Bettencourt wrote.
He said he would issue a fuller statement next week.
There is a strong urgency for Judge Emmett and the Commissioners Court to appoint Dr. Diane Trautman to fill this unexpected vacancy. She is extremely qualified, and over a half a million people voted for her. If she is not appointed, there are the half million who are already disappointed that Mr. Bettencourt has "quit," then the other half million that voted for Dr. Trautman, would also be disappointed. Dr. Trautman says:
"Since the beginning, my campaign has been about protecting the rights of voters, and ensuring that their voices are heard. It is unfortunate that Mr. Bettencourt has deprived the voters of an opportunity to decide who will lead the tax office at this critical time in our county’s future. But I don’t want to spend my time focusing on the wrongs of my former opponent, but rather, we should be focusing on how we as a county, Republicans and Democrats together, will go forward and select a leader that will put the needs of the people of Harris County above partisan politics. I believe that I am that leader, with my background in ethics, over 30 years combined leadership and administrative experience, and a promise to put service before politics, all of the things that earned me the endorsement of the Houston Chronicle. I hope that the choice will not be about partisan politics but rather the good of Harris County Residents."
It would we wonderful if the commission would appoint Dr. Diane Trautman in that position. The Houston Chronicle got it right, they endorsed Dr. Trautman.
No more mixing of politics with vital services - we recommend a vote for Diane Trautman.
We believe the Democratic challenger, Diane Trautman, will clear the air of partisanship while offering able administration of the office's core duties. We recommend a vote for Trautman as Harris County tax assessor/collector.
Trautman vows to run "a service organization, not a political organization." She pledges to return "servant leadership" to the office.