| HeraldNet - Snohomish County's online news source |
 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2010 12:24 pm |
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Editorials 
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Lindsey, Kraski have best credentials for treasurer, clerk At first glance, Kirke Sievers and Bob Dantini may seem like the favorites in their respective races for Snohomish County treasurer and Snohomish County clerk. Each has a long record of public service Sievers has been a County Council member for the past 12 years, and served as treasurer for 21 years before that. Dantini, like Sievers, has a recognizable name. He's the current treasurer, having been elected to that post three times.All that, however, doesn't make either the most qualified candidate in their race. In our view, Jerry Lindsey holds that edge over Sievers for treasurer, and Sonya Kraski is clearly better qualified than Dantini for clerk. Sievers and Dantini are seeking new jobs because they're being term-limited out of their current ones. Lindsey and Kraski, meanwhile, hold management positions in the offices they seek to lead, and as such have up-to-date skills and a firm grasp of how to run things efficiently and effectively. Both are hands-on managers with years of pertinent experience and a reputation for competence. The way business is done in the treasurer's office has changed markedly since the days Sievers oversaw it. Technology has changed, and Lindsey is thoroughly familiar with it. He would be prepared to lead the office from Day One, while Sievers would have a steep learning curve and would have to delegate much oversight to a deputy. Lindsey, who unlike Sievers is a certified public accountant, worked as an assistant audit manager for the state auditor's office for nine years before becoming the county's treasury accounting manager in 2002. Prior to that, he did accounting work in the private sector. His breadth of experience, knowledge of current operations and record of constantly seeking to improve those operations make for an impressive set of qualifications. He also understands that resources will continue to be tight, so the office must keep leveraging advances in technology to better serve customers. Sievers agrees, but we think Lindsey is in a better position to make it happen. Term limits are also heavily in play in the clerk's race, with 12-year clerk Pam Daniels forced to step down. We endorsed Deputy Clerk Ron Ledford in the primary, citing his experience running day-to-day operations. With Ledford failing to advance to the general election, Kraski is the remaining candidate with the most pertinent experience. She has worked in the clerk's office for 22 years, holding or supervising nearly every position. She has worked her way steadily upward in the office, which is responsible for maintaining records for the Superior and Juvenile Courts. Importantly, she is up to speed on a major upgrade to the state's computerized court-records system, a change that needs to be overseen carefully and thoroughly. Kraski understands the relationship between the clerk's office and the courts, and the fact that she's endorsed by six retired Superior Court judges (current judges are barred from making political endorsements) is evidence of that. Dantini's experience as treasurer simply can't match Kraski's knowledge of the clerk's office, or her record of competence there. |
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- A tidy lawn could be law in Lynnwood
- Snohomish County's bargain housing won't last
- Boeing's 747-8 takes off after weather delay
- Plan for I-5 closures this week
- A new bowling alley for Monroe?
- Lake Stevens man homeless after fire
- I-5 bridge joint may give you a jolt, but it isn't damaged
- A tidy lawn could be law in Lynnwood
(10) - Vote on school levies by Tuesday (9)
- Everett police officers cleared in 2008 shooting death (5)
- 1949 travel aid shows how few places blacks were welcome in Washington (4)
- I-5 bridge joint may give you a jolt, but it isn't damaged (4)
- Everett rethinks boutique wineries (4)
- Three politicians who want Gregoire's job in 2012 (3)
- Toyota has powerful D.C. friends (3)
- Snohomish County's bargain housing won't last (3)
- Life story: Man fought depression courageously, family says (3)
- Edmonds educator, famous announcer dies
- Mill Creek to appeal ruling on annexation
- Through the air, with the greatest of ease
- E-W thriving under new coach
- The path to citizenship
- EUUC puts on ‘Pants & Shoes’
- Wolfpack wins the ‘Battle'
- Lynnwood’s annexation plans OK’d
- Arlington's Cascade Valley Hospital celebrates expansion, national award and 100 years of service
- Business Licences Feb. 2010
- Technology tips for launching your own business
- Business Events Feb. 2010
- Tech Talk: No excuse today for going without a Web site
- State already raising fees and rates that restrict business growth
- Some legislators again targeting people’s initiative petition rights
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