There are many difficult choices facing Lucas County voters on Nov. 6. Who should be elected Lucas County Recorder is not one of them.
Republican George Sarantou is the clear choice over Democrat Phil Copeland, and it has nothing to do with party affiliation; it has everything to do with experience, competence and what is best for Lucas County.
The recorder’s office is responsible for indexing and maintaining land records like deeds, liens and mortgages in addition to military records. Voters do not hear much about the office because it has been run smoothly and without controversy by Recorder Jeanine Perry.
Copeland, an at-large councilman since 2005 who decided to run because he will be termed out of City Council at the end of his current tenure, captured 57 percent of the March 6 Democratic primary vote to top James Seaman and Kevin Eff.
Copeland did not attend the Feb. 27 recorder candidate forum to tell the public what he would bring to the office. Prior to his primary victory, he told Toledo Free Press, “I want to go and be a part of it and I may have some ideas when I get in there.”
The recorder position is important beyond its modest level of public recognition; Copeland’s vague goals should be a red flag to informed voters. So should his choice to decline a public appearance at a forum at the Sylvania Branch Library, a nondebate event organized by the League of Women Voters, Sojourner’s Truth and Toledo Free Press.
Copeland’s pattern of not facing voters is inexcusable and should be one factor in costing him the office.
Sarantou is also an at-large councilman near the end of his term limit. Sarantou, who works for 212 Capital Group, cited his love of public service and experience.
“For the last 30 years, I’ve been in the financial services and I’ve handled thousands of documents,” he said. He also serves as Council’s financial committee chairman. Sarantou said he would continue the efficiency displayed by Perry and move forward to modernize the office with a focus on security.
Finances and organization are Sarantou’s strengths; he is clearly prepared to take the office and move it forward. The recent Toledo Free Press report that Sarantou has one of Council’s best attendance records, while Copeland has one of its worst, is another compelling reason to believe the office will be in better hands with Sarantou.
Toledo Free Press strongly endorses Sarantou for Lucas County Recorder.
Thomas F. Pounds is president and publisher of Toledo Free Press and Toledo Free Press Star.
Michael S. Miller is editor in chief of Toledo Free Press and Toledo Free Press Star.
