Election Primer Part 2: Montgomery County Seats up for Grabs

In preparation of the upcoming elections, Patch is presenting a rundown of what positions are in play in Montgomery County and the duties of each office. 

Prothonotary: The prothonotary is the civil clerk of the Court of Common Pleas. The position is responsible for recording the happenings in the courtroom and tracking all civil procedures. The prothonotary “signs and seals all writs and processes numerous other documents of the Court of Common Pleas,” according to the county’s website.

The office is responsible for the filing and recording of all Court of Common Please documents, as well as processesing passport applications.

The candidates for this position are:

• William Donnelly (R) of Horsham

• Mark Levy (D) of Plymouth-Whitemarsh
  

Recorder of Deeds: The Recorder of Deeds is tasked with maintaining “the integrity of all land records and other documents entrusted to the department, as well as the collection and monthly distribution of county and state fees and Real Estate transfer taxes for the state, township, borough and school districts," according to its website.

The position is a self-sufficient office and generates its own profit, over its own operating expenses, for the Montgomery County General Fund, according to Nancy J. Becker, the county’s current Recorder of Deeds.

The candidates for this position are:

• Linda Hee (D) of Abington

• Nancy Becker (R) of Lansdale

Register of Wills: The position serves as an agent for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to collect the state’s inheritance taxes. The Register of Wills also must file accounts by personal representatives and issued "transfer of estate assets."

The role serves another title, called the Clerk of the Orphans’ Court, and is responsible for issuing marriage license and orphans’ court dockets. Petitions for adoptions are filed with the Register of Wills.

The candidates for this position are:

• Patricia Mosesso (R) of Jeffersonville

• D. Bruce Hanes (D) of Elkins Park

Sheriff: County sheriff is elected to a four-year term. Montgomery County has been selecting them every four years via election since 1789.

The sheriff serves as the “chief law enforcement officer in the County,” according to the Pennsylvania Constitution.

Sheriff may be called upon include “riots, prison breaches, strikes and other emergencies which are or may be a breach of the peace,” according to the site. During those times, the sheriff is “empowered to call upon all able-bodied adults” or in other words may deputize necessary persons to assist in maintaining the order, according to its website.

The candidates for county sheriff are:

• Eileen Behr (R) of Whitemarsh

• William Holt Jr. (D) of Willow Grove

Treasurer: This position is in charge of the county’s funds as an overall “custodian.” Payments of county taxes, fees, state and federal grants or other monies the county receives are received and deposited by the Treasurer, according to the county’s website

The Treasurer, according to the county’s site, also must serve as the chairman for the County Investment Board, the treasurer for the Employees’ Retirement System and be a member of the County’s Depository Board.

The candidates for treasuer are:

• Jason Salus (D) of Conshohocken

• H. Charles Wilson III (R) of Towamencin Township