Treasurer candidates discuss post responsibilities
Geyer
Lerch
Kerns Patton
Pearson
Roberts
Russman
Wilson
Zimcosky
The decision by current Fayette County Treasurer Robert F. “Bobby” Danko not to seek reelection in 2013 has drawn eight candidates to seek the Democratic nomination to fill the position in the May 21 primary.
Danko opted to retire at the end of the year after serving 24 years in the position.
No Republicans will appear on the ballot.
The candidates include Brad W. Geyer of Connellsville, Melvin E. Lerch Jr. of Franklin Township, Beth Kerns-Patton of Bullskin Township, Thomas Pearson III of Smock, Lawrence “Larry” Roberts of South Union Township, Larry J. Russman of North Union Township, Nancy Lee Wilson of Uniontown and Michael Zimcosky of Smock.
The candidates recently met with the Herald-Standard editorial board to share their views about the need to retain an independent office and the qualifications they will employ if elected to the office.
While the position is primarily administrative and involves no policy-making decisions, the candidates said that the elected row office position should be maintained and not consolidated with similar offices as done in other counties.
Zimcosky said that the position is multi-functional and the combining with other offices would make it less efficient and customer friendly.
“When you look at the many functions of the treasurer’s office and the other offices, it would require more staff and that is not in the best interest of Fayette County,” he said.
Kerns-Patton said that the office should remain intact with “honest” leadership at the helm.
“It is the only way to have that office,” she said.
Russman said that he would not favor such a move, while Wilson said a lone office allows for the staff to focus on its duties, not multi-tasking.
“It keeps the office honest,” she said.
Roberts said that the office is mandated by law.
“It is an administrative position, but it is also a very responsible position,” he said.
Geyer said that the duties of the office, including the treasurer’s role on the county retirement board as a pension decision-maker, requires it to be an elected post.
“Those kind of duties on behalf of the county employees, makes it more than an administrative position,” he said.
Lerch and Pearson also agreed it should remain an elected position.
“As an elected official, you are responsible to the citizens,” said Pearson.
With the county now receiving revenues from the Marcellus shale industry and income from the imposed hotel tax in addition to the anticipated financial gain from the new Nemacolin Woodlands’ casino, and other in-place revenue, the candidates said it is important the new treasurer be accountable.
Kerns-Patton said that the collection of the hotel tax is likely the biggest problem facing the office at the present time.
“It is a controversial issue right now as to whether the hotels are paying the appropriate amount,” she said. “(The treasurer) is going to have to tackle that problem.”
Russman said that all resources must be of concern to the county financial office.
“He needs to be the watchdog for the county,” said Russman. “We need a county treasurer to make sure all the resources balance out.”
Wilson said the office must meet the requirements of the state and county and that all revenue must be properly accounted for by the treasurer.
“There are a number of issues to be looked at,” she said.
Zimcosky said that the new revenue will add to the offices’ responsibilities.
The candidates said that their respective backgrounds have prepared them to meet the responsibilities of the treasurer.
Russman, the owner of the Larry J. Russman Insurance Agency and Larry’s Plate & Title Service in Uniontown, said that his business responsibilities, which include meeting state requirements, are similar to those of the treasurer’s office.
“Everything that the treasurer’s office does, I pretty much do right now,” he said. “Over the years I’ve handled thousands and thousands of dollars and passed it along to the state without being a penny short or a day late.”
Geyer, a city councilman in Connellsville and grant supervisor with the Private Industry County of Westmoreland/Fayette Inc., said that technological improvements will allow the office to be more transparent.
“Let’s be able to get online and see tax records and the duties of the staff,” he said. “I want to see that the staff is fully trained and the office is running as efficiently as possible.”
Geyer pointed to his 10-year tenure with Connellsville City Council and the management of its employees as one of the ways he is prepared him to assume the treasurer role.
“One of the biggest functions of the treasurer is the management of the office,” he said. “I have 37 employees and all look to me for answers and I give them what they need. I also sit on our city’s pension board and have a good working relationship with other county officials.
“I will help as much as I can and work as hard as I can.”
Lerch, a Franklin Township supervisor for 30 years, said that he is not knowledgeable of any problems in the office, but if they do occur, he will make needed changes.
His record as a township supervisor makes him fully qualified for the position.
“I’m a team player,” he said. “I will work alongside the staff to help them.
“I have worked for the taxpayers of Franklin Township for 30 years and I’m ready to work for all county taxpayers as the treasurer.”
Pearson, the owner of a bail bondsman business, said his focus would be maintaining the efficiency of the office.
“I want to be able to keep the cost down of operating the office, that the work is done correctly and everyone has access to the office,” he said.
Pearson added that his business experience and independence makes him the best qualified for the post.
“I owe no allegiance to any one,” he said. “This is the first office that I’ve sought. I’m fiscally and socially conservative and will strive to be responsible to the office.”
Roberts, a former state legislator and current self-employed labor arbitrator, said that he sees the anticipated departure of the office’s chief deputy as the most critical problem for the new treasurer.
“That is a very important position,” he said. “That’s the person that oversees much of what goes on in the office.”
Roberts said the voters will decide which candidate will best serve in the position. However, he said his qualifications put him at the front of the line.
“I promise to be available and that’s the only promise a politician can and should make,” he said. “My level of responsibility over the years has meaning, and I have served in several levels of responsibility.”
Wilson, the current second deputy treasurer in the office, said that her more than three decades of employment in the office makes her well-suited to be the next county treasurer.
“My experience and pertinent knowledge gained through the years uniquely qualifies me to serve in the position,” she said.
Danko, she added, set the high standards that she will continue, if elected.
“As treasurer I will do my best to follow this tradition,” said Wilson.
Zimcosky, an auditor in the county controller’s office, said that his education and hands-on work experience lay the foundation for him to step into the role of treasurer.
“I know that I will be dedicated and committed to being in the office full-time and working alongside the staff,” he said.
Kerns-Patton, an auditor in the county tax assessment office and former business owner, said that she possesses the personality, experience and work ethic to fill the position.
“I will be there everyday,” she said.
To view the entire editorial board session with the Fayette County treasurer candidates, visit the Herald-Standard website at www.heraldstandard.com.