Our View: Dave Norman Deserves Election As County Recorder

Dave Norman's commitment to service is exemplary

As Miami County, just like the rest of the nation, goes to the polls on Tuesday, they will be confronted with a bubble and a blank line for the office of County Recorder. This publication encourages residents to both fill in the bubble and write-in the name Dave Norman for the position of County Recorder.

Earlier this year, Mr. Norman, a Marine Corps veteran and a former member of the Sheriff’s Department, was unanimously appointed by the Board of County Commissioners as Interim County Recorder and was later elected by a healthy margin to the position by the Miami County Republican Party’s Central Committee. This publication talked about this appointment in a previous edition of this newsletter:

Mr. Norman exhibits a sense of duty and responsibility that is fitting for the position that he is contesting. On April 30, 1975, Mr. Norman found himself as one of the last eleven United States Marine Corps soldiers airlifted out of Saigon, South Vietnam. Coming to Miami County after the Vietnam War, Mr. Norman has had a long and distinguished career in law enforcement, which included managing the complex operations of the Miami County Jail.

Neither candidate has expressed any broad vision or goals for the office, rather both candidates are committed to continue the work done by the previous County Recorder Jessica Lopez. And in fact, while the County Recorder is an important part of county government, it is purely a ministerial job; County Recorders can only take those actions specifically allowed to it by the Ohio Revised Code. Furthermore, given the unique circumstances of this race (can anyone tell us the last time we had a contested write-in race for any county office?), both candidates are challenged by lack of time and resources to fully introduce themselves to voters.

Absent any vision for the office by either candidate, Miami County residents should expect candidates for this office to have some familiarity with county operations, including budgeting, human resources and facility management. Mr. Norman excels in this trait, the former Sheriff’s Department Captain has a proven track record of managing funds, leading people and maintaining consistent and effective operations through his work as Jail Administrator and Deputy Sheriff here in Miami County.

Mr. Norman, the Marine Corps Veteran, has been tested on the battlefield and has served our county well for decades; he deserves our vote to be our next County Recorder.

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