As campaign season heats up in Santa Clarita, voters deserve more than carefully crafted slogans. They deserve accountability. Candidates frequently talk about transparency, ethics and openness. Those are admirable values, but they must be demonstrated through actions, not just campaign messaging . When members of the public ask difficult questions or express criticism, blocking them on social media instead of engaging with them raises legitimate concerns about how that candidate would respond to constituents if elected. Recent reports surrounding Denise Lite’s campaign have also raised important questions regarding a fundraising raffle that was reportedly canceled after concerns were raised about compliance with California law. If refunds were issued, providing clear information about what occurred would help restore public confidence. Voters deserve straightforward answers: How many raffle tickets were sold? Were all purchasers fully refunded? What process was used to issue those refunds? What steps have been taken to ensure future campaign activities comply with applicable laws? These are not personal attacks. They are reasonable questions about accountability from someone seeking public office. Transparency is measured by a willingness to answer difficult questions, acknowledge mistakes when they occur, and treat residents with respect, even those who disagree. Santa Clarita deserves leaders who welcome scrutiny rather than avoid it. Michelle Mendoza Newhall The post Michelle Mendoza | In Pursuit of Accountability appeared first on Santa Clarita Valley Signal. ...read more read less