Two seek nomination for county treasurer in Greene
By Steve Ostrosky Herald-Standard
WAYNESBURG – Greene County will have a new treasurer in 2004, with two people campaigning for the Democratic nomination in Tuesday’s primary to take over the position held by long-time treasurer Robert Elliott, who will retire at the end of the year.
Cory Grandel, 28, of Jefferson is a self-employed senior financial planner with an office in Waynesburg.
A 1993 graduate of Jefferson-Morgan High School and a 1996 Waynesburg College graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in business administration and a major in finance, Grandel has also taken post-graduate courses in financial planning, and has state licenses in uniform securities, state investment law and risk management.
Grandel, married and with two children, also has a federal license in investment company products. He has served as a treasurer of the Jefferson-Morgan school board for the past three years.
He said the combination of his education and experience make him highly qualified for the office of treasurer. His knowledge of financial planning, money management and budgeting are important qualities that are important for the job, Grandel said.
“I’m a concerned taxpayer and I am concerned about the county’s financial future,” he said, “I have a young family, I am a business owner, and I feel I would have the county’s best interest at heart.”
He said the county needs a better understanding of its financial picture to be able to plan for the future.
“In short, we need to plan appropriately, invest wisely and manage our money efficiently,” Grandel said.
Beverly Kerr, 57, of Carmichaels has been the office manager of the Toothman Dental Center in Waynesburg for the past 10 years.
Kerr attended high school and has advanced credits in management, budget and finance. She served 16 years on the Carmichaels Area school board, where she chaired the finance and personnel committees, and was vice president of the Greene County Vo-Tech board for nine years.
A bookkeeper at her husband’s business, Kerr Electrical Service, for 30 years and the mother of three children, she said Elliott’s retirement gave her an opportunity to serve in a greater capacity.
“I feel I can widen my horizons,” she said. “I feel that I am ready to move into this position.”
Kerr said she would be a full-time treasurer and her 40 years of experience make her qualified to hold the position. If elected, she pledged to work with the commissioners and the controller to keep the county’s financial picture sound.
She said she works well with people, having managed as many as 12 people at once at the dental office in the past 10 years, and has the knowledge and experience to become treasurer.
“I have more experience, I am educated in the right areas, and I have 40 years in it,” Kerr said. “I feel I should be the one to be chosen.”
The winner will likely cruise to victory in the November general election as there are no Republicans seeking the GOP nomination for the office.