Democrats to choose between experienced prothonotary candidates
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Democrats in Washington County will have a choice between two experienced candidates seeking the party’s nomination Tuesday to succeed Prothonotary Phyllis Ranko Matheny, who plans to retire at the end of her current term.
The candidates, Joy Schury Ranko and Colleen Murphy Arnowitz, both have worked in the prothonotary’s office in some capacity.
Ranko, 55, of North Strabane Township, is currently the deputy prothonotary and has worked in the office for the last 13 years.
“My experience will enable me to keep this office operating in the current friendly and efficient manner. With understanding of procedure and the computer system, I can continue the automation in progress in an aggressive manner,” she said. “I started as a clerk, and I understand all the duties it takes to keep this office running. The taxpayers deserve nothing less.”
Arnowitz, 61, of Monongahela, teaches at Charleroi Middle School, where she served as dean during the 2009-10 school year. Arnowitz said she will retire at the end of June.
Arnowitz emerged as the Democratic nominee for prothonotary in 1991, defeating Matheny, a deputy in the office, and seven other candidates seeking to succeed the retiring Bob Franks. Arnowitz was elected that November and served one term, losing in the next election to Matheny, whom she had fired after taking office.
When running for her second term, Matheny said she had spent the previous 2 ½ years “getting the office back to where it was when I left.”
Arnowitz said in past interviews that she “can’t imagine what (Matheny was) referring to.” Ranko claims numerous documents were misplaced or disposed of when Arnowitz was in office.
“I am not aware of that. That was 25 years ago. I would call it an accusation at this point,” Arnowitz said. “Times have changed, rules have changed. I ran a very cooperative office when I held it. My past experience and training qualifies me to be an office leader and administrator.”
If elected, both women said they plan on being a full-time prothonotary.
Running unopposed for the Republican nomination is David D. Tennent III, 57, of Peters Township.