For clerk of courts, Vivo; for recorder, Gerberry

There is no good reason to replace Anthony Vivo as Mahoning County's clerk of courts.
Vivo has been a good steward of the public treasurer, increasing his office's productivity consistently over the 10 years he has been clerk.
His office is handling a record number of Common Pleas Court filings today with the same staff levels he had when he took office. He has overseen the computerization of his office and has organized the office's service of the county courts in Austintown, Boardman, Canfield and Sebring.
In one area, Vivo's office has been so efficient that it has become an issue in the Trumbull County Clerk of Court's race. Vivo's office has been attracting automobile title work from individuals and dealers from Trumbull County, cutting into that office's income. Trumbull County candidates are debating who will do the best job in luring that title work back to the Trumbull County office.
Vivo, 46, a Democrat, has a bachelor's degree from Ohio University, and in addition to his 10 years of experience as the clerk, worked in the office for 12 years under his late father, Tony.
Vivo is being challenged by Sandra Holowatuk, 50, a Republican, who says she would better organize the office without making any case that it is disorganized.
The Vindicator has no reservations in endorsing Vivo for re-election.
In the race for county recorder, the choice is not as clear.
Republican Russell Gillam III, 36, is challenging the incumbent, Democrat Ronald Gerberry, 51, who is completing his first term. At issue, however, is whether Gerberry fully intends to complete his second term if he is re-elected. Gerberry has served 18 years in the Ohio House of Representatives, and would clearly like to return to the General Assembly if the opportunity arises.
Regardless of his future ambitions, Gerberry has been far more than a caretaker in the office or recorder. He has taken on the task of computerizing the records he is obliged to protect and make available to the public. He has made some of those records available on line.
One of the things his opponent criticizes Gerberry for is this electronic access. Gillam, who as a title abstractor spends much of his working day in the recorder's office, says he would take some records off the Internet until the could be viewed "responsibly."
But state law puts a premium on making and keeping public records public, even if not everyone agrees. We believe Gerberry is following the law and has earned a second term.
We endorse Gerberry.