Row officers unopposed in Tuesday’selection
WAYNESBURG – Incumbent Greene County row officers faced no opposition in the primary and, barring any unexpected write-in efforts, should have no concerns about their fortunes in Tuesday’s election.
All of the candidates are Democrats and received their party’s nominations in the spring. No Republicans candidates had sought nominations for the posts.
Greene County Clerk of Courts Sherry Wise plans to begin her second term of office in January.
Wise of Gilmore Township has worked in the clerk of court’s office since 1995. She served as second deputy clerk of courts until June 2005, when she was promoted to chief deputy. She was first elected clerk of courts in 2011.
The clerk of courts’ office works with the criminal, juvenile and orphans’ divisions of the court. It is responsible not only for docketing cases for the criminal division but also for the filing of marriage licenses and estate documents and for conducting research requests for marriage, birth and death records for the orphan’s court division.
The office also collects court fines, costs and restitutions.
Greene County Treasurer Cory L. Grandel of Monongahela Township plans to begin his fourth term of office. Grandel has served as treasurer since 2004.
The county treasurer is responsible for the receipt, custody and disbursement of county money and, as an agent of the state, the issuing of dog, hunting and fishing licenses.
Greene County Controller Dave Balint of Waynesburg plans to begin his third term of office.
Balint has held the position of controller since 2008. Prior to being elected, he had served as Greene County’s deputy controller since 2004 and as county auditor since 2001.
The controller performs various financial functions for county operations, including financial reporting, financial auditing, cash management, county employee payroll assistance and expense oversight.
Acting Greene County Register and Recorder Donna J. Tharp will begin her first elected term of office in January.
Tharp of Richhill Township was first deputy in the register and recorder’s office for 17 years under then Register and Recorder Thomas M. Headlee. Upon Headlee’s retirement on Dec. 31, 2013, Tharp became the acting register and recorder.
The Register and Recorder’s Office is the repository and record manager for all documents relating to wills and estates as well as all real estate transactions. As register of wills, Tharp’s duties include probating estates and filing all papers in relation to wills and estates. The register is also responsible for the collection of inheritance taxes for Greene County.
Greene County District Attorney Marjorie Fox plans to begin a fourth, full term of office in January.
Fox of Waynesburg joined the district attorney’s office in 1989. She was appointed first assistant and continued in that capacity until 2001, when the court appointed her to complete the term of District Attorney Glenn Toothman III, who resigned.
The district attorney prosecutes criminal cases in the county, provides necessary legal support to police and represents the Commonwealth at trial and in appeals which may follow.