Improving public service and updating computer-friendly techniques are the common themes among 16 candidates running for clerk of the Circuit Court, Register of Wills and judges of Orphans' Court in the Carroll County primary and general elections.
Joseph Burns Jr. will be trying to unseat five-time incumbent Larry W. Shipley as clerk of the Circuit Court, the overseer of land records, marriage and business licenses, and all criminal, civil and juvenile court records, in the Sept. 15 Republican
primary.
L The winner will be unopposed in the Nov. 3 general election.
Three Republicans and a Democrat will try to oust Republican incumbent Nancy L. Airing as Register of Wills. The office records wills, deals with estate issues and gives recommendations on matters before the judges of Orphans' Court.
Challenging Airing in the primary are Republicans Donald B. Sealing, Francis X. Walsh and Ryan M. Warner. Democrat John Lockard Barnes, unopposed in the primary, will oppose the winner in the general election.
Nine candidates are seeking three seats as judges of Orphans' Court, including Republican incumbents Walter T. Haines Jr., Albert W. Selby and Dorothy V. Utz, the chief judge.
Orphans' Court judges render decisions on contested probate matters.
Challengers in the Republican primary are John David Carbaugh, V. David Grayson, James Earl Kraft, Raymond B. Pool and Herbert J. Reisig.
The top three Republican vote-getters will compete in the general election for the three judgeships with Manchester Mayor Elmer C. Lippy, a Democrat who is unopposed in the primary.
Below is more information on the candidates:
Circuit court clerk
Joseph Burns Jr., 39, a Westminster Republican. He is an insurance claims adjuster with past business administrative and managerial experience. While he has not previously run for public office, he has been active in political and civic groups, including the Republican Club of South Carroll.
"It's time for a change," he said, promising to improve customer service and streamline the office operation by bringing in "fresh ideas" to get "cheaper, quicker and more efficient service."
Larry W. Shipley, 53, the incumbent, a Westminster Republican. He began working as a clerk in 1965, became chief deputy in 1975 and was elected clerk in 1978.
