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Given the office's duties, there is no reason to pick a clerk of courts through the political process. Yet that is the system we have, and so voters can only hope the job draws qualified candidates. Such is the case in Pinellas County, where two political newcomers are seeking to replace the longtime clerk, Karleen DeBlaker. Both have extensive and relevant business backgrounds.
The position is essentially administrative but important to the smooth operation of government. The clerk keeps court records, collects fines, maintains official documents for public access, oversees county expenditures and audits financial procedures - all with 600 employees and a $40-million budget. After 24 years in the office, DeBlaker is retiring, and Pinellas residents would hope that her replacement has skills in management, accounting and information technology.
Both Republican Ken Burke and Democrat Carrie Wadlinger can claim those skills, and both have impressive resumes.
To get this far, Burke had to overcome a formidable primary opponent in Clearwater Mayor Brian Aungst. Burke succeeded by displaying a thorough understanding of the clerk's varied operations and running a mostly upbeat campaign. Burke, 44, claims the edge in financial expertise as a certified public accountant, while Wadlinger, 59, displays an impressive technology background as former co-owner of a medical claims company that processed millions of billings. Both have done their homework, meeting with county officials to better understand the clerk's function and keeping up with the latest issues that affect the office. Both understand that the office's computerized systems and management style need to be updated.
The main difference in the two candidates comes down to familiarity. Pinellas County residents have a good idea of what they are getting with Burke, whose work experience and community involvement have all been local. A graduate of St. Petersburg College and the University of South Florida, Burke has been legal administrator of a Seminole law firm for more than two decades. His list of volunteer activities is lengthy - including honors for his charitable and civic contributions. Currently, Burke serves as chairman of the SPC Board of Trustees.
Wadlinger has a solid civic record, as well, though it is almost entirely in Ohio, where she attended college and pursued a career. That is not to discount her accomplishments, but when it comes to understanding the unique issues that affect Pinellas County and its system of government, Burke has the history and the advantage.
In particular, Burke has a well-reasoned plan to make the auditing of county government a more productive tool to improve financial management and save taxpayer dollars. He knows how official records could be made more readily accessible to the public. And he has pledged to maintain the office's independence and high ethical standards established under DeBlaker.
Even if Wadlinger is unsuccessful in this race, we would still like to see her remain active in the community. Pinellas County can always use someone with her energy and dedication to public service. In this race, however, Burke is the better choice.
The Times offers candidates not recommended by its editorial board an opportunity to reply. Replies should be sent no later than 5 p.m. Monday to: Philip Gailey, editor of editorials, St. Petersburg Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731. Fax: 727 893-8675. They can also be sent through our Web site at www.sptimes.com/letters/ Replies are limited to 200 words.