Ann Torpy of Mentone has filed a Declaration of Candidacy with Republican Party Chairman Randall Girod for the position of Kosciusko County Clerk of the Circuit Court. The position is being vacated by Jason McSherry who announced his resignation from the elected position on Tuesday. (See related story)

Torpy has been a clerk in the clerk’s office for 20 years. “I was hired after high school by Marsha McSherry and worked for her part-time until June 24, 1996, when she hired me to replace the voter registration deputy. This is the position I still currently hold,” says Torpy. “In April of 2001, Sharon Christner appointed me as her Chief Deputy Clerk, again I still hold that title.”

Torpy’s main job in the office is assisting the clerk with the election process and with Voter Registration. On Nov. 6, she successfully completed her fifth Presidential Election. “I work closely with all candidates making sure they get the proper paperwork needed to file and assist them with how the election process works,” she explains.

As Chief Deputy, Torpy works with the clerk on personnel issues and implements any changes that the state legislature has made that would effect how the office functions. She says, “I also work closely with staff to help them with questions they aren’t quite sure how to handle. There are several office managerial issues I deal with daily, which is hard to put into writing.”

Torpy feels she is qualified to fill the clerk’s position because of the knowledge of the office and the position that she has acquired over the last 20. “I also feel that I have a great working relationship with the staff in our office, as well as the courts, prosecutor, probation and sheriff staff in the Justice Building,” she concludes.

A Republican Caucus will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, to appoint a new Clerk of the Circuit Court. The deadline for filing a Declaration of Candidacy with Girod is at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 16.

Interested eligible candidates for the position must file a Declaration of Candidacy form (CEB-5). Those are available from the Kosciusko County Clerk’s office, 121 N. Lake St., Warsaw.