A Republican Schuylkill County prosecutor is facing off against a Democratic college student for the office of clerk of courts. The office was vacated in the wake of a scandal surrounding former clerk Stephen M. Lukach Jr. The office is currently held by Democrat Tom Campion, who was appointed in September 2014 after Lukach retired. Lukach, a Democrat, was being investigated for mismanaging finances in the office. He has not been charged.

First Assistant District Attorney Maria Casey of Minersville, is vying for the seat against Penn State student Catherine Mahon, also of Minersville.Catherine MahonParty: DemocratAge: 20Education: Attending classes in accounting at Penn State Schuylkill. Has attended the Hochschule Pforzheim, a university in the state of Baden-Württemberg, Germany.Profession/trade: Work at Providence Place in Pottsville, and worked in Congressman Matt Cartwright's veterans service office.Affiliations: Penn State Schuylkill Honors Program, Penn State Schuylkill Business Society, National Rifle Association.Q: What will you bring to the office?I bring to the office the most up-to-date knowledge of ethical financial reporting procedures, which is critical to the success of the office. I am also Penn State educated in managerial techniques that will allow me to work with the office and create a positive environment. Through work and community involvement, I know how to work with people and co-workers to ensure that the office will continue to run properly, in the following of our current clerk of courts, Thomas Campion. Additionally, I am knowledgeable in emerging management information systems and information databases that are becoming increasingly integral to the offices of public administration.Q: What would you change in the office if elected?I believe that the most pressing issue in the office is proper bookkeeping. Auditing is critical to making sure that all money coming through the office goes where it is supposed to. As clerk of courts, I would like to evaluate the current auditing procedures within the office, and possibly add more checks and balances so that the public can remain confident in the financial handlings of the office.Maria CaseyParty: RepublicanAge: 52Education: Mount Holyoke College, B.A. in International Relations; University of Pittsburgh School of Law, J.D.Profession/trade: First Assistant District Attorney for Schuylkill County; solicitor for Schuylkill County Children & Youth Agency; Code Enforcement Association Solicitor; Pro bono counsel for the Hillside SPCA; counsel for various gun clubs.Affiliations: Kiwanis member and board member; Schuylkill County Council for the Arts Board member; Schuylkill County Chief of Police Association member.Q: What would you bring to this office?As First Assistant District Attorney, I administer a staff of 27 people and a budget in excess of $1 million. The office has consistently operated under budget, saving the taxpayers money. Additionally, I have managed private companies as well as served as general counsel for corporations. My governmental and private sector experience makes me well-qualified to be clerk of courts as I have the legal and financial backgrounds necessary to administer the office.Q: What would you change in the office if elected?On a yearly basis, several hundred thousand dollars in bail money (often cash) comes into the Schuylkill County Clerk of Courts Office. Training the staff in the proper internal procedures for collecting bail money is priority one. In this case, a teller system with two persons collecting the bail money will be instituted. A third person will be responsible for taking the money to the bank on a daily basis. I or my first deputy will then do the bank reconciliation. These types of checks and balances are essential to protect the taxpayers from fraud in the office. I will have (county controller) Christy Joy immediately do a full audit of all the books and records and, adopt any changes as recommended by him. Attorneys have complained that they are receiving inaccurate billings and/or fees from the office. This must be corrected by implementing an accurate billing system.At my direction, the restitution account and cost and fines account will be audited by Christy Joy. Any restitution owed to victims must be promptly repaid to the victims. There are also long-standing personnel problems in the office that must be addressed.