October 28, 2000

Steyer best choice for sheriff job

If you're weary of look-alike, act-alike, sound-alike candidates, you should savor the race this year for Seneca County sheriff.

You can pick among:

• A long-time incumbent, H. Weldin Neff, who is a known quantity in the county's top law enforcement post.
• A former -- and respected -- jail administrator, Dennis Brady, who knows how the sheriff's office operates and who has many ideas about how it could serve the public better and have less administrative turmoil.
• Tiffin's police chief, Tom Steyer, who can offer the management skills that could be expected to result in a modern, well-run department.

The department IS due for a change.

Either Brady or Steyer would have the will and skills to make that be a change for the better.

But Steyer has the edge in know-how and innovation. If he is elected, county residents could expect an increase in effective use of technology, an increase in application for and receipt of grant money, and effective use of budget allocations, equipment and personnel.

The county's best interests would be served by a vote for Tom Steyer for sheriff.

2 candidates for clerk well qualified

Come January, there will be a new boss in the Seneca County Clerk of Courts office.

The two people seeking your votes in the Nov. 7 election offer differing perspectives, ideas and experience.

Paul Steinmetz, a Democrat, developed ideas about how the office could be used to serve the public better during his years dealing with the clerk's office as a law enforcement officer.

Mary Ward, a Republican who knows the office from working there as Carol Cleveland's deputy, also poses ideas for serving the public if elected.

Although their proposals are different, our view is that voters could expect to be served well with either candidate.

The people of Seneca County in this race have the benefit of candidates equally but differently qualified.