Hamilton County Juvenile Court Clerk Ron Swafford has served with personal integrity and upright intentions since he took that position in 1998.
We have endorsed Mr. Swafford during his earlier election campaigns, and we feel he has done a good job. He has not previously faced an opponent when he has sought re-election.
Today, we endorse Mr. Swafford in the Aug. 5 Hamilton County general election, and we believe he will continue to serve the county well.
But we also hold his challenger, Gary Behler, in high regard. Mr. Behler is no newcomer to issues related to families and juveniles. He is operations director of the highly respected local, pro-family organization First Things First.
Previously, Mr. Behler served as director of program services for another excellent local organization, Bethel Bible Village. He worked directly with troubled, abused or neglected youths.
He also has worked in adult corrections in Hamilton County, and he has taught courses in criminal justice at UTC for 20 years. He presents a platform of sound fiscal conservatism as well.
In the course of the campaign, Mr. Behler has raised some concerns about the operation of the Juvenile Court clerk's office. Those concerns do not relate to Mr. Swafford's character, which we believe is above reproach. Rather, they bear on whether the clerk's office has been run as efficiently as possible.
Outside audits from 1999 through 2008 do not suggest any dishonesty on the part of Mr. Swafford or his staff. However, the audits do indicate a need for computer upgrades to improve certain inefficient, manual accounting processes.
We do not wish to minimize the importance of efficient accounting methods in whatever public office. But Mr. Swafford has been "at bat," so to speak, and we believe that he has a thorough understanding of the operation of the Juvenile Court clerk's office. He says that the concerns presented in the audits have been properly addressed, and that updated equipment has either been installed in the office or soon will be, to make its daily operations more efficient. It also appears from our discussion with Mr. Swafford that some of the problems cannot justly be laid at his feet.
It is regrettable that there can be only one winner in the race for Juvenile Court clerk, because both the incumbent, Mr. Swafford, and the challenger, Mr. Behler, are men of character and intelligence.
But Mr. Swafford's long experience in office and his understanding of the "under-the-radar" workings of the Juvenile Court give him an edge against his worthy and capable opponent.
For that reason, we recommend that voters in Hamilton County return Mr. Swafford to office in the Aug. 5 general election, though we also praise Mr. Behler for his ideas and his right motivations in seeking the position.