DaytonDailyNews.com

Carolyn Rice was somewhat of a surprise pick to replace Hugh Quill as Montgomery County treasurer when Mr. Quill left to take an appointment in the Strickland administration in February 2007.

The Democratic Party, at the time, said it was impressed by Ms. Rice's qualifications (she has a master's degree in business administration) and her hard work against Republican Rep. John White when she ran a better-than-expected race for the 38th Ohio House seat in 2006. In selecting her, Democrats passed over two people who worked in the treasurer's office, a mayor and an attorney.

She has proven to be a good choice. Ms. Rice has brought energy to the job, and she deserves to be elected to a four-year term.

Her opponent, Gary Ross, also has fine qualities. A Centerville-based financial adviser, he is knowledgeable about the investing activities of the treasurer's office, and he is passionate about ensuring that Montgomery County taxpayers' money is managed efficiently. But many of Mr. Ross' arguments about budgeting stray into the realm that belongs to the county commission. He's not running for commissioner. And he is less studied on the bulk of the treasurer's responsibilities.

Mr. Ross' chief complaint is that the treasurer's office uses a Cleveland-based financial adviser, at a cost of about $60,000 a year, rather than making investment decisions in-house or using a local company. Ms. Rice says local companies were among the 11 that responded to a request for bid proposals and among the five finalists. She said she made the final pick based on the Cleveland company's long experience advising government agencies, which is a specialty for investment advisers. That's a sensible explanation.

In less than two years, Ms. Rice has worked diligently to establish good connections with other government offices and agencies. Notably, she worked with the United Way to cross-train operators for its Link 2-1-1 service and her office to better serve callers to both places who have property tax, foreclosure or other financial troubles. (Link 2-1-1 is a United Way service that guides callers to helping agencies.) She also has been visible at public meetings, opening up lines of communication to other governmental bodies.

Interagency cooperation is key to addressing one huge problem facing Montgomery County that involves the treasurer's office — home foreclosures and tax delinquencies. On that front, Ms. Rice has been proactive.

Besides reaching out to troubled homeowners, she has continued Mr. Quill's successful practice of selling tax liens. This innovative program bundles delinquent tax debts and sells them to collection agencies. Besides bringing in income from the sale itself, each announcement about a sale has prompted a flood of property owners who had fallen behind to pay up in order to avoid having liens put on their property and collectors coming to their doors.

On these critical issues Mr. Ross acknowledges he is not up to speed and needs to learn more before deciding if he would support programs that already are in place.

Among county-level elected officials, Mrs. Rice is an up-and-comer. She has earned election as county treasurer and is the best choice in this race.

GARY ROSS

Age: 62

Education: Bachelor of arts in marketing, University of Cincinnati

Family: Married, two children

Web site: www.garyross4treasurer.com

CAROLYN RICE

Age: 54

Education: Master's in business administration, Wright State University; bachelor's degree in education, Miami University

Family: Married, two children

Web site: www.carolynrice.com

About our recommendations

Candidates running in the Nov. 4 election were asked to provide an endorsement from someone of their choosing to appear along with our views. To read the DDN's recommendations in other races, go to DaytonDailyNews.com/recommendations.

This endorsement of Gary Ross was provided by attorney Michael H. Holz of Dayton.

'Demonstrated integrity and responsibility'

Gary Ross, candidate for Montgomery County treasurer, has been my stockbroker and financial adviser since 1988. During that time, I have found him to be knowledgeable about business and financial markets. Through fluctuating inflation and interest rates, he has helped me manage my portfolio of stocks, corporate and municipal bonds, mutual funds, options and annuities.

Ross has tailored his recommendations on investment opportunities to fit my personal financial goals. He has an understanding of how local and international events affect my investments. As an example, he was warning me about the risks of banks' subprime lending at least six months prior to the news media's reporting it.

During our 20-year association, he has demonstrated integrity and responsibility, challenged mainstream thinking, and adapted to the changing investment environment. I feel Ross' experience working in the financial industry has prepared him to serve as treasurer.

This endorsement of Carolyn Rice was provided by R. Daniel Sadlier of Washington Twp., chairman of the board of Fifth Third Bank.

'An obligation to serve her community'

I have known Carolyn Rice for more than 20 years. She believes in family values, a strong work ethic, an obligation to serve her community and the value of continuing education.

Rice's many attributes include her eagerness to learn, her ability to listen, her integrity and her proven professional career.

During the past year, I have worked with Carolyn as an ex-officio member of Montgomery County's Investment Advisory Committee. I have seen Rice work hard to reach out to constituents to learn what is important to them.

Rice believes her role as treasurer is that of a tax collector, a banker and an investment adviser to Montgomery County. She has done wonderful work in this regard, during a very challenging economic period, to protect and to maximize the county's financial resources.