We the Clermont County voters and taxpayers now have the ability to look back with 20/20 vision at the elections of 8 and 6 years ago. We can learn from our history and answer the questions posed by the two sides.

Tim Rudd, the chair of the Republican Party, wrote at the time that if it ain't broke don't fix it and that the Republican Party can fix any problem with a primary election. 8 years ago there was a primary election for commissioner and the sitting officeholder was defeated. The winner was Mary Walker. 6 years ago there was another primary election for commissioner and an existing elected county official was defeated. The winner was Scot Croswell.

If I am not mistaken both of these winners are now commissioners and under investigation for payments made to family member's companies. Where is the primary fix here?

Now we are being asked to accept the same line of thinking in this election. Mr. Rudd writes (9/17/2008) "any perceived or real problem at the county level was handled by the republican primary voters." It is important to note that primary elections are one party's members voting for the candidates of their own party. Also, in Clermont County the majority of the registered voters are listed as independents with neither party affiliation. So where is the fix?

The reason Gregg Conrad is running for elected county office is the same as it was 8 years ago; to answer the second side of the history question from above. We must have a system of checks and balances in our government or it will become complacent and corrupt.

The reason Gregg Conrad is running for Clerk of Courts in November; to answer the question "Why are the taxpayers of Clermont County being saddled with a second elected clerk of courts?" This second clerk position was just created in 2003 and is a 6 year elected term. (all other elected county offices are for 4 years) The salary for this position cost the taxpayers $94,350 a year. This is more than the prosecutor ($68,370) who needs to be a lawyer, the engineer ($92,600) who needs two special licenses and the coroner ($49,814) who needs to be a doctor. Finally, this second clerk's office is held by Tim Rudd who is also a paid member of the Board of Elections. Isn't having an elected officeholder sitting on the board that governs his election something like the fox in charge of the hen house?

Have the independent voters learned from our history? Do primary elections fix problems or must we have checks and balances in our government to prevent complacency and corruption? In November I am running for the original 4 year Clerk of Courts office ($59,579) and would be honored if you voted for me. Let's find out together if we truly need two clerks of court and if the origial system was even broke when they tried to fix it.