The words “civil servant” actually mean something when it comes to a woman like Cathy Glaser, who ends 36 years of public service this week at the San Diego Registrar of Voters. She is the long-serving Chief of Campaign Services
Trusted by political professionals of all parties, Ms. Glaser is unfailingly “civil” and polite, and has been a true “servant” of voters throughout San Diego county since 1974. Calling her the “best ever” is simply her due, earned by quiet and conscientious hard work.
Her signature phrase, “What do you need?” expresses her entire career.
All who have worked with her over the decades will miss her presence in future elections! They will also rejoice, however, in the well-deserved peace and quiet she will enjoy in the future.
If you ever wondered why there has been no hint of scandal in the conduct and honesty of San Diego County elections, look no further than Cathy Glaser. She has advocated for transparency in the public’s business, and won the trust of candidates, reporters and campaign workers alike.
God speed to you, Cathy Glaser. You will be missed. You leave behind an example of public service which will inspire your co-workers for many years into the future.
[Readers are invited to add their favorite Cathy Glaser stories in the ‘comments’ section below. They will be relayed to her].
Comments 12
Cathy Glaser the best ROV employee ever? Nahhhh. She’s the best government employee ever ANYWHERE — PERIOD.
Over the 32 year history of the San Diego Libertarian Party, this ragtag group has not been noted for its love of government agencies and employees. In that entire time, only ONE official award (complete with plaque, as I recall) was given by the party to a terrific government employee and one government agency. That’s right — Cathy Glaser and the SD ROV.
Over the years, what an odd treat it has been to walk into a government bureaucracy and be treated as a CUSTOMER rather than an annoyance. Neophyte LP candidates were not just tolerated, but patiently counseled — guided through the candidate process. And my personal tendency to show up at the ROV 5 minutes before deadline to file ballot arguments was received with good humor rather than disapproval.
Imagine this — each election cycle for many years, Cathy has come to an LP gathering at a home or restaurant on a SUNDAY MORNING to instruct our gonzo group of cynical/idealistic candidates on how to properly file and qualify as contenders. Well, not exactly CONTENDERS, but certainly as the NOTA (“none of the above”) choice in the local partisan district races.
I don’t know if she got paid, or took comp time, or what. And her carefully guarded political outlook certainly was not Libertarian. But this effort by Cathy was so far above the call of duty as to be incomprehensible.
The only good news about her retirement is that the remaining staff at the ROV has demonstrated a similar attitude — though I must assume the the Herculean effort involving Sunday visits to LibertarianLand is drawing to a close.
Enjoy that pension, Cathy. I’ll not begrudge you a single penny. Have a pleasant retirement. And thank you, thank you, thank you.
Jim,
Thanks for the kind words.
Makes me “almost” think about reconsidering my decision to retire. I don’t intend to disappear from political life, so maybe someday you’ll see me working on a campaign or back as a temp at the Registrar’s office. (Note: I will be available for employment.) First I want to take some time to regroup and reorganize so many things in my life I want to just relax a little and travel some with my husband – after our nest is empty next year.
Cathy Glaser
I understand that recently while Cathy was clearing out her files, she came across an article from the late 1980s, a story about the then-treasurer of the SD County Republican Party calling on the County CAO to conduct an investigation of the Registrar of Voters for leaving a candidate’s GOP ballot designation off of a special election sample ballot (Carol Bentley, if anyone wants to know).
The Party treasurer was at the time a young political neophyte, without much experience dealing with the Registrar’s office and its professional and competent staff. He was perhaps also simply trying to generate some attention for Bentley. Politics.
Years later, he … uhhh, ok … I … would say that the thought of the ROV staff ever doing anything other than running a straight up election and serving the public extremely well in the process is beyond comprehension.
Much of the professional, service oriented approach of the ROV is due to the nature and dedication to excellence of Cathy Glaser.
Congratulations to Cathy on a job well done, and for her well-deserved retirement!
Echo all of the above. She will be missed.
Twenty-two or so years after the fact, Ms. Glaser has indicated that the ROV accidentally leaving Carol Bentley’s party registration off the sample ballots was while she (Cathy) was on maternity leave!
Ms. Glaser deserves ALL of these tributes.
Other readers who have worked with her
are encouraged to add their recollections.
I worked for Cathy off and on and over a few elections. Cathy was always so even, so eager to help. Cathy is loved and trusted by candidates and office holders all over the county and of every political party. She was a true example of public service and she really enjoyed her job. She could have tried to rise to a higher position at the ROV but then she would not have been able to interact with the candidates and voters. Cathy knows election law, she wasn’t just helpful, she was necessary. When I worked for her she would be answering calls and assisting people from all over. She never turned anyone down and gave 100% effort to each caller, each visitor. Cathy loves her country, the election process, democracy, and the roll the ROV plays. Long after I left one of my stays at the ROV, I would still get birthday cards from Cathy. She is the kind of supervisor that makes you want to be the best you can be. The kind that makes you want to work hard, the kind you can’t say no to ‘overtime’ to. And certainly underappreciated by ROV management. They have no real idea yet as to what they’re losing in her retirement. Sometimes in life there are big turnovers – this is one of them. Good luck Cathy. The County of San Diego was lucky to have had you for 36 years! And I was lucky to have worked for you. You taught me so much about ‘civics’, election law, customer service, election history, San Diego politics and political history. You made work fun and interesting. You trusted me. Thank you.
Jim Sills is correct…Cathy is the best ever government employee. She’s ALWAYS been willing to help.
Cathy’s departure from the ROV will be sorely missed.
Good luck on your well deserved retirement…although I’m betting that someone like Cathy isn’t going to be sitting on the sidelines for long…She’ll be doing something interesting and, like we all know, she’ll be doing it fabulously.
Regards,
Edward Teyssier
I have never worked with Cathy but I know two things about her:
1. She is my cousin.
2. She is Awesome!
Congrats on all these well deserved Kudos Cathy and you can really enjoy your retirement by coming to New England and visiting once in a while (Yes…in warm weather, of course!).
Dave Decker
(Cathy’s Favorite Cousin)
When I was somewhat thrust into running as the lone Republican for the 79th AD back in 1990 (I bet Barry can remember that too since he was running for Council for the first time), Cathy was there to “hold my hand” thru the process (Barry was there too holding my hand). Any biases she had were unknown. She was there to serve and with a smile. A shining example to all government employees.
Cathy, enjoy your retirement, and thank you.
Not only has Cathy Glaser been unfailingly helpful, polite, and accessible to candidates of every stripe over three decades, she’s treated members of the news media with equal courtesy and attention. News media are often even more in the dark than the candidates themselves about the process and requirements, and Cathy answered every confused, repetitive question we could throw at her – at least based on my own experience as a broadcaster for 15 years. I recall her making herself available outside business hours even before the cell phone era, and that’s saying something!
Cathy, our only consolation on your departure is that you certainly deserve a break, and that you’ve likely trained your replacement to your unfailingly high standards. You’ve earned every reward coming to you. Best wishes to you and congratulations from a grateful community.
Government employee or private industry employee Cathy Glaser would have to be at the top of anyone’s list. Cathy always bent over backwards to assist in whatever help you needed at the ROV.
I 1st met Cathy when we were getting the petition process started for a high school in Alpine. She was just awesome with her assistance and advice.
Simply put, Cathy you’re the best. I wish you much happiness as you pursue the next chapter in your life.