The Clermont Sun sent a list of 10 prompts to both candidates running for Clermont County Treasurer in the upcoming election on March 15.

The following prompts were sent via email:

1. Tell me a little bit about yourself.

2. Why are you running for County Treasurer?

3. What are the most important issues facing this office right now, and how do you plan to address those issues?

4. What qualifies you for this position?

5. Have you run for public office before, and if so, which office(s) and when?

6. Have you held an elected or appointed public office before?

7. What would you change if elected?

8. Describe your campaign strategy. How are you appealing to voters?

9. What have you enjoyed most about this campaign, and what has been most challenging?

10. Do you have any special plans for March 16, and how do you plan to spend this day?

Candidate responses were shortened and only edited for style errors.

Charles Ward
Charles Ward

I grew up in Sardinia, Ohio. My father was the chief of police and my mother ran a restaurant. I graduated from Eastern High School in May of 1981 as the student council president. I attended Morehead State University [and] Southern State Community college for extra transfer hours.

I came to know Williamsburg in 1989, upon accepting a position of manager for Bank One. In 2003, I got married and left the big bank experience and went with the small community bank, Anderson Bank. After 20 years plus in the finance/banking and securities/investment industry, in 2007 I opened my own financial services office in Williamsburg.

Currently, I live with my wife Kelly and our two children, Robin, age 11, and Daniel, age 9, in Williamsburg Township.

I believe we need more good people to run for office, period. I believe we need more people who come from the private sector to step up and be willing to lead in the area of limited government.

I am not backed by the current treasurer, the current deputy treasurer, or any number of other elected officials, who already hold office or have held office for a number of years. The members of the Clermont County Republican Party deemed my candidacy as “well qualified.” No other candidate received that distinction. I do not come from a blue blood line of people who have run for office. I honestly believe the county would be best served by someone trained in the field of finance and securities.

My unique skill set I believe is tailor made for the Treasurer’s office. I have over 20 years experience in the finance/banking industry. I have worked for the big bank, Banc One Corporation, Banc One Mortgage Corporation and the small bank experience, Anderson Bank. I have worked for Banc One Investment Corporation and Banc One Insurance Corporation. Upon the sale of our bank in 2007, I opened my own business and worked as an Investment Advisor Representative with the broker dealers of Great American Advisors and Lincoln Investment Corporation.

In May of 2010, I ran successfully for the first time for Republican Central Committee. In 2014, I was re-elected to the Central Committee and voted unanimously to the position of Treasurer for the Clermont County Republican Party.

I will look for avenues to efficiently run the office of Treasurer, but until I can thoroughly review and examine the office as is, I have no claims or suggestions for changes, cuts or any other assertions. To make any claims or references to what I would do or not do, would be an injustice to myself and to the current employees of the office. I would interview each of them individually and ask for their suggestions and opinions in how the operation of the office can be improved.

Right now we have people who have been in their respective positions for too long. I think in general our government is wasteful, but competition although hard to deal with sometimes keeps you lean and mean. It makes you look for new ways to innovate. It makes you choose wisely. Waste not, want not. Nothing becomes stale.

The most challenging aspect has been the ugliness. I think we need to be better people. Term limits would solve a lot of these problems.

I hope it is a good day, win, lose or draw. After all that’s said and done, to take my family to our favorite restaurant, Los Cabos in Amelia for dinner. Then go home and sleep!

Jeannie Zurmehly
Jeannie Zurmehly

My husband and I live in Jackson Township. We have lived in Clermont County for over 49 years. I was born and raised in Batavia, Ohio and I graduated from Batavia High School. My son was the fifth generation in my family to graduate from that school. I also graduated from UC Clermont College, summa cum laude, in 2015 with a Degree in Accounting.

I currently work in the Clermont County Treasurer’s Office where I have been employed for over eight years now.

I am running for County Treasurer because I feel I now have the education, knowledge and skills to make a difference and give back to the community that has given to me.

There really are no issues facing our office at the present time. The office runs very efficiently and we are continuing to cross train employees so that as people retire we have those positions covered. We are looking into adding the ability to pay with a credit card in the office. Also, we continually monitor the County funds that are invested in the market.

My experience within the Treasurer’s Office for the past eight years and my 12 plus years legal and real estate experience gained while employed in the private sector for over 30 years, make me the most qualified candidate for the position.

I have run for Republican Central Committee three times since 2006 when I was first appointed to represent Jackson Township. I have not run for any other public office.

Other than Clermont County Republican Central Committee, I have not held any other public office.

If elected, I would not make any dramatic changes within the office as it runs very well at the present time. The employees know their jobs and perform them very well. I plan on being a full-time Treasurer who is in the office on a daily basis performing various duties along with my staff.

My campaign strategy is no different than my professional work ethic, which is honesty, diligence and hard work. I have worked tirelessly, along with my husband, to secure good sign locations by contacting the property owners personally to request permission to place a sign on their property. We then have spent countless hours after work and on weekends putting up signs and maintaining them. I have been to every township and village within Clermont County to introduce myself and share my qualifications with them. I have a Facebook page “Zurmehly for Treasurer” where I have made regular posts about myself and my campaign. I also have done a Mailer to every active voter in Clermont County. And, I have answered every set of questions sent to me by every newspaper or other entity. I also agreed to take part in a candidate forum which did not happen due to lack of participation of opposing candidates. I have done my absolute best to let the voters know who I am and why I am the most qualified candidate.

I have truly enjoyed meeting the people throughout the County. I have found that Clermont County has many good people who care about their communities.

The most challenging part of the campaign has been reading the fabrications my opponent has written about my position and the Treasurer’s Office in his answers to questions posed by another newspaper.

I will be at work on March 16, whatever the outcome of the election. I have a commitment to my co-workers and the County that I feel a responsibility to honor.