The race for the newly created Row Office is between current Clerk of Court and Democrat Andrea Naugle and current Recorder of Deeds and Republican Marie Dean. The new office will be a combination of the Clerk of Courts, Recorder of Deeds and Register of Wills. I voted against the creation of this office last fall, and still think it will be a mistake.
There has not been too much campaigning in this race.
The Morning Call ran an article in today's paper regarding all of the row offices up for election in Lehigh County.
I feel that Andrea Naugle is better situated to handle the new responsibilities that this office will create. Currently, the Clerk of Courts office handles both the Civil Division/Family Divison and the Criminal Division, which is going to be the bulk of the new office.
For Clerk of Judicial Records I recommend Andrea Naugle.
Lehigh County Sheriff
Sheriff Ron "Trooper" Rossi is the Democratic Nominee and incumbant.
Republican Joseph C. Vargo is the opponent and currently a Sargent in the Allentown Police Department.
Rossi has been a good and decent public servant. He is a popular figure in Lehigh County and will be hard to beat. He claims staying within his budget as one of his achievements.
Vargo believes the Sheriff's department needs better and more adequate training. He also believes the deputies need to be more visible in the community and out there tracking fugitives.
While I think Vargo has some good ideas, Rossi has an understanding of what running this office entails. He understands that the Sheriff's office involves more than protecting judges and running the x-ray machine. Deputies serve process in civil and criminal matters, execute on judgments and handle gun permits, in addition to many other jobs.
For Lehigh County Sheriff I recommend Ron "Trooper" Rossi.
Lehigh County Controller
Thomas Slonaker, the Democratic nominee, is running against incumbent and Republican Peter Shaffer.
Slonaker is the former Treasurer of Whitehall and has degrees in business, including his MBA, and would be willing to be more than a part-time Controller.
Shaffer is a CPA and is the two term incumbent. In addition, he runs his own accounting firm. Shaffer claims he spends approximately 35 hours per week as the Controller.
Slonaker wants the Controller to help forecast the County's financial future.
Both men are well qualified and would be fine choices.
I recommend Thomas Slonaker for Lehigh County Controller.
