PUBLISHED 5/14/08 ----

Kern County voters are receiving their sample ballots in the mail and their applications to vote by absentee ballots.

The Californian’s editorial board met with candidates vying for offices and with proponents and opponents of initiatives that appear on the June 3 ballot.

A summary of the editorial board’s recommendations follows.

To read the entire editorial, go to the Opinion section’s FIRED UP! blog at www.Bakersfield.com/blogs.

Bakersfield Mayor — Re-elect Harvey Hall. This will be his third term. He has done a good job promoting and representing Bakersfield.

4th District Supervisor — Re-elect Ray Watson. While we are disappointed in Watson’s detached representation, his challenger, Taft City Councilman Cliff Thompson has demonstrated poor judgment and lack of self control in his personal life.

Kern County Superior Court — Two seats will be filled. Elect Commissioner Larry Errea to fill the seat being vacated by retiring Judge H.A. “Skip” Staley. Select Charles “Chip” Brehmer and Holly Mitchell in this primary to fill retiring Judge Clarence Westa’s seat. Brehmer and Mitchell should face each other in a November runoff.

Propositions 98/99 — Dueling initiatives to set limits on the govenment’s use of eminent domain appear on the ballot. Vote NO on Prop. 98. Its intended and unintended consequences will  threaten protective ordinances and rent controls, and could block vital water projects. Vote YES on Prop. 99. It sets reasonable limits and leaves room for the Legislature to make additional restrictions.