Apr 27, 2007 By Steve Ferris 5 min read

In addition to the Greene County commissioner race in the May 15 primary, there are several contested races for county row offices and one for a magisterial district judge position. District Attorney Marjorie J. Fox is facing a challenge from her predecessor, David F. Pollock, for the Democratic nomination. No Republican candidates entered the race.

Fox was hired in 1989 and served as first assistant to Pollock and then Glenn Toothman III.

Toothman defeated Pollock in the 1999 election, but resigned in 2001 before his term ended.

The court chose Fox from a field of seven people, including Pollock, who applied to serve the remainder of Toothman’s term.

Fox successfully ran for the office in 2003 and now is running for her second four-year term. She said she also is seeking full-time designation for her job.

“I can’t think of a better way to practice law,” Fox said, adding that being the county prosecutor is an honorable profession and is more rewarding and meaningful than working in a private law practice.

“I am a true prosecutor who has always served with dedication and integrity. I work hard to keep our homes, our highways and our children safe,” said Fox. “I will gladly face the political challenge of this year’s election, but I will never allow politics to interfere with my sworn duties as district attorney.”

In January 2006, many Pennsylvania district attorneys took advantage of legislation that allowed them to change their job status from part time to full time.

Fox said she has maintained a full-time schedule since she was appointed to the office in April 2001, but declined to accept full-time designation during her present term even though the change would have doubled her salary.

“I believe the decision to change my status and my salary belongs to the voters of Greene County,” Fox said.

“I work hard to assist the police, understand the needs of victims and prepare cases for trial. As a law enforcement official, I also dedicate myself to maintaining the integrity and character expected of the chief prosecuting officer of the county in order to garner the appropriate respect for the office of district attorney,” said Fox.

Pollock, who said he resigned as a county solicitor for litigation in February, when he began his campaign, served as district attorney from 1988 to 1999 and is a partner in a law firm. He said he also filed the necessary paperwork to be a full-time district attorney.

Since he last held the office, Pollock said the county drug task force, which he started in 1989, has become less effective.

“I’ve seen a deterioration of the Greene County Drug Task Force and the prosecution and investigation of drug cases,” Pollock said. “Consequently, some communities and school districts are suffering from unprecedented drug overdoses and drug-related crimes.”

He said a county detective oversaw drug task force investigations when he was district attorney, but agents from the state Attorney General’s office now fill that role.

“We developed a budget from drug forfeitures and were actively investigating drug tips,” Pollock said. “Now that work is being delegated to the state Attorney General’s office, who has expressed dissatisfaction with its efforts and with the drug task force efforts.

“I’d bring back a designated county detective with expertise and youth to conduct adequate investigations. I would not delegate our cases to outside agencies with multiple counties to work.”

Pollock also said the district attorney’s office lacks courtroom experience in prosecuting major crimes.

He said the experience he gained practicing criminal law in a private practice combined with his experience in the district attorney’s office is his greatest asset.

In another race, incumbent Magisterial District Judge 3 (East) Lee Watson is facing a challenge from Dave Reid. Both candidates cross-filed and will appear on the Democratic and Republican ballots.

The office covers the eastern part of the county encompassing Cumberland, Dunkard, Greene and Monongahela townships and Carmichaels, Greensboro and Rices Landing boroughs. The Southeastern Greene and Carmichaels Area school districts also are in the east magisterial district.

Watson has held the judge’s seat since 1996 and is a two-term incumbent.

Reid could not be reached for comment.

Incumbent Democratic Clerk of Courts Shirley Stockdale is running unopposed for the Democratic Party nomination and Tom Boyd Jr. is running unopposed for the Republican nomination.

Stockdale has held the position since 1985 and has worked in the clerk’s office since 1968. She also is the clerk of orphan’s court.

Thomas M. Headlee, the incumbent Democratic register of wills and recorder of deeds, is running unopposed for the party nomination and Joseph P. Yokiel is running unopposed for the Republican nomination.

Headlee has held the position since 1976.

David Balint, first deputy to the controller and director of audit, is running unopposed for the Democratic nomination for the controller’s office. He has held both of his current positions since 2004.

John Stets, the current controller, has held the position since 1988, but is not seeking re-election.

There are no Republican candidates for the office in the primary.

Incumbent Prothonotary Susan Kartley White is running unopposed for the Democratic nomination. White is a two-term incumbent whose first term began in January 2000. There are no Republican candidates.

Incumbent Democratic Treasurer Cory L. Grandel is running unopposed for the party nomination for his second term in office. No Republican candidates have entered the race.