Republican Jill Thompson, current county auditor and lone red beacon serving in Athens County, debated Democratic challenger and Athens City Auditor Kathy Hecht Tuesday night for the Athens County auditor’s position, up for reelection this November.
The Athens League of Women Voters held the debate at the Athens Public Library, 30 Home St., to a full room of spectators.
“The style of the current county auditor has not been working,” Hecht said. “It is time for a change.”
Hecht said that as county auditor, she’d practice good communication and cooperation, offering administrators training and advice.
“I will be proactive and help educate county officials, so we don’t have the same kinds of problems we’ve had between the county auditor’s office and the employees and citizens of Athens County,” Hecht said.
She added that the county auditor should play a more active role, referencing county audits from the last five years, where she said there were problems regarding tracking grants and making payments on time — issues that could have been resolved if there were more guidance from the auditor.
“(Administrators) should be asking the auditor beforehand instead of spending (money) and having the state auditors come in and point out everything that everybody’s been doing wrong,” Hecht said.
In her response, Thompson said preparing workshops to train and assist local officials is something she’s already put in practice.
“As auditor, I serve as the county watchdog over public funds,” Thompson said.
In regard to oversight, Thompson cited her authority to request additional documentation of an administrator’s spending to determine whether county expenditures are for a “proper public purpose.”
Thompson said good government is about transparency, adding that she created a website during her time as county auditor that made public records more accessible.
“It has always been my priority to be available and respond to your needs,” Thompson said.
Thompson said any official could come to the auditor for advice, but auditors “don’t get to tell them how to do their jobs.”
Both candidates spoke about their unwillingness to let partisan politics affect their work.
“I don’t represent a party, I don’t play partisan politics,” Thompson said. “I’m very thankful to have the opportunity to represent you, the citizens of Athens County.”
Hecht said something along similar lines about her serving as a democratic representative.
“I don’t think that politics should come into play when you’re doing your job,” Hecht said. “There’s no place for politics in the work environment, especially in local office.”
Alan Trout, chair of the Athens County Democratic Party, said that he’s confident in Hecht’s abilities, though Thompson has experience as county auditor on her side.
“I have all the confidence in Kathy,” Trout said. “I think she can go right into the role, and do it quite well.”
@xx14noraxx
nj342914@ohio.edu
