For Trumbull clerk of courts, Karen Infante Allen

How did we get to the point that the race for clerk of courts in Trumbull County centers not on how the office maintains the records of the common pleas courts, but on how it handles automobile and truck titles?
In a word: money.
Auto titles are big business. Of the $5 fee paid when a title is transferred, $2.15 goes to the state, $1.85 goes to the county that handles the paper work and $1 goes to the county in which the vehicle owner resides. Tens of thousands of titles mean tens of thousands of dollars in income to the treasurer's office.
And in recent years, Trumbull County has been losing some of that money to adjacent counties, especially Mahoning County.
Both candidates for Trumbull County clerk of courts, Karen Infante Allen, a Niles Democrat, and Republican David T. Simon of Liberty, say they'll work to win back that lost business by making title registration in Trumbull County more customer- friendly.
Being successful in that enterprise will be even more important next year, because the formula used for divvying up the money will be changed. The state will still take $2.15, but the entire remaining $2.85 will go to the county that does the registration work.
Based on our interviews withthe candidates, we believe Karen Infante Allen has given more thought to what has to be done than her opponent, David Simon, and is better equipped to take on the job.
retirement of longtime clerk Margaret O'Brien.
Allen outdistanced three Democrats in the primary, including former seven-term state Rep. June H. Lucas, whom O'Brien encouraged to get into the race. Simon was unopposed in the Republican primary.
Infante Allen said Trumbull County car dealers have been using Mahoning County clerk of courts to perform vehicle title work because Mahoning County had the computer equipment, making it a faster and convenient process.
O'Brien said Trumbull County hadn't been online to regain fees collected from the transfer of titles. But one of O'Brien's staffers pointed out that the title department went online in May.
What's planned
Infante Allen said that if elected, she will meet with vehicle dealers to make them aware that they can transfer titles online in Trumbull County.
Simon said he also is aware of the lost title work and the fees it generates. He too plans to meet with the dealers.
O'Brien said there are a number of reasons Trumbull County has lost title work to Mahoning, Columbiana and Portage counties, including when Trumbull residents buy more vehicles outside the county.
Simon wants to expand the clerk's online capabilities so attorneys can file documents with the clerk around the clock rather than just during normal business hours.
Infante Allen points to her familiarity with the clerk's office and background in computers as a positive for her.
She calls attention to her employment with the clerk of courts at the Niles Municipal Court since 1988 and the experience she has gained as the court's computer administrator.
Simon said he is a "quick learn" because of his formal education in engineering technology and computers, ownership of Ding Master and as founder and president of Youngstown Arts and Entertainment District Association.
Learning procedures is not a problem for him, Simon said, noting he has "passion" for any job he takes on.
During a meeting with The Vindicator editorial board, Simon said he didn't know how many employees work at the clerk's office, or its annual budget.
When asked about the same information, Infante Allen said the clerk's office has nearly 40 employees with a budget of nearly $2 million.
Simon said he is seeking the office because it is an open seat and the state Republican Party approached him about running. The party already had GOP candidates lined up to run for two county commissioner seats.
But the party hasn't helped him financially, Simon said, noting his campaign has become a door-to-door project.
KAREN INFANTE ALLEN (D)
Age: 38.Home: 1139 Lantern Lane, Niles.Employment: Niles Municipal Court computer administrator.Education: Bachelor's of science degree in communications from Kent State University.Family: Husband, William; two children, Jennifer Lynn and Melanie Ann. Priority: Restore title work back to Trumbull County.
DAVID T. SIMON (R)
Age: 42.Home: 2025 Crestwood Blvd., Liberty.Education: Graduate of Liberty High School and Youngstown State University with bachelor's degree in science.Employment: Self-employed since 1988, R.D. Simon Inc.Family: Wife, Jennifer; three children, Rebeka, David and Zacharia.Priority: Bring integrity to the office and to access the office online.