Washington Co. controller’s race focuses on transparency
The candidates in the race for Washington County controller have differing views on whether the office is operating with transparency.
Republican challenger Angela Carrier, who has a degree in mass media communications, currently operates a travel agency. She is hoping to unseat Democratic incumbent Michael Namie as controller. Namie has served in the office for 12 years and served as deputy controller for 11 years prior to that.
“I was approached by some fellow conservatives. They were looking for someone who wasn’t a political insider, who was conservative and not connected politically in any way and was honest,” Carrier said. “They liked my idea for transparency for the office.”
Carrier said she wants to put all of the office operations online for public review.
“It makes people more comfortable when they know how their money is spent,” Carrier said.
Carrier said she would do quarterly updates on the website and also would like to send out automatic email updates to those who want them.
“The controller serves as the check and balance to the commissioners,” Carrier said. “You bring more balance and diversity to the situation.”
Carrier said her campaign has been done online and from door-to-door.
“I’m now at the point with all the door-knocking that I’m not afraid to approach anybody,” Carrier said.
Carrier, who is originally from Maryland, has lived in Peters Township for the past 15 years and is the mother of four adopted children.
Namie said he entered the controller’s office from the private sector and applied those business practices to the office.
“I believe we’ve turned this into one of the most-efficient offices in the state,” Namie said.
Namie has served in various offices with the State Association of County Controllers, from third vice president through past president. Namie said the annual audits of his office have been exemplary.
“We are a very transparent office. The budget is posted on the county’s website, as are the audits, under the financial section,” Namie said.
Namie noted that he has run his office under budget, turning back about $300,000 in unspent budgeted funds over the past 12 years. Namie also serves as the secretary of the county’s retirement board and is also a member of the prison board. Namie said the county’s pension fund is ranked in the top 5 percent of all public pensions funds nationwide, based on returns.
“Here, in Washington County, we’ve been able to put politics aside in the best interest of the citizens. We are one of the most fiscally sound counties in the state,” Namie said.
Namie holds a degree in business administration from Washington & Jefferson College. He has been married to his high school sweetheart for the past 25 years and is the father of two children.