Editorial: Choices for county races

Wednesday, Oct. 28, 1998 | 11:19 a.m.

They don't have the glamour of County Commission races, but the county elections for assessor, treasurer, recorder, clerk and public administrator are still important. The Sun offers its endorsements in those contests:

In the race for assessor, the office which appraises and assesses real estate for property-tax purposes, incumbent Mark Schofield, a Democrat, faces Republican Robert Beardshall and Libertarian Dick Geyer. Assessing property can be a political hot potato but Schofield has demonstrated that he has the courage to make assessments based on facts, not emotion. Mark Schofield receives our endorsement.

Treasurer Laura Fitzpatrick was appointed to the position last year after then-Treasurer Mark Aston was sentenced to probation in March for stealing more than $21,000 from the County Financial Officers Association. The treasurer collects taxes and invests the county's $2 billion portfolio. Those running against Fitzpatrick, a Democrat, are Republican Richard Bell and Libertarian Timothy Hagan. Fitzpatrick's qualifications for this post are outstanding, including 17 years of experience in governmental accounting and finance. Fitzpatrick was Michigan's deputy state treasurer for seven years. A certified public accountant, Laura Fitzpatrick has restored public trust to the treasurer's office and deserves to be elected.

In the county recorder's race, Republican Micki Johnson is running against incumbent Judith Vandever, a Democrat. Vandever is bright, energetic and has the knowledge to keep improving the office, which creates and stores some public records, such as marriage licenses and escrow documents. Judith Vandever is far and away the best choice for this position and should be re-elected.

County Clerk Loretta Bowman is stepping down after three decades. The county clerk is responsible for administering records for District and Family Court, the Marriage Bureau and County Commission. Three candidates are seeking to succeed Bowman: Republican Sam Bledsoe, Democrat Shirley Parraguirre and Libertarian Patrick O'Neill. Parraguirre has 22 years of experience working for attorneys and judges, including having been executive assistant to District Court Judge Sally Loehrer since 1993. Without a doubt, Shirley Parraguirre is the best candidate and brings the most experience to this position, earning the Sun's endorsement.

Public Administrator Jared Shafer, a Democrat, is being challenged by Anne DiMartini. The public administrator is responsible for administering the estates of the deceased until a relative can take possession of the property, and also has the duty of taking care of someone's property after a guardianship request is made. Jared Shafer has done an excellent job in this often overlooked position in county government. Shafer receives our endorsement.