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Two seeking controller’s position
By Kay Stephens, kstephens@altoonamirror.com
POSTED: October 27, 2007
HOLLIDAYSBURG — A former Altoona city controller is challenging Blair County’s incumbent controller, giving voters a choice in the Nov. 6 election.
Eugene J. “Stu” Duncan, 79, who won the Democratic nomination, says he is ready to return to public service and wants the role of keeping track of county finances.
Richard J. Peo, 58, who won the Republican nomination, has held the controller’s seat since 1994. He says that gives him valuable experience in tracking the large and complex or-ganizational structure in the county.
The controller’s job is a four-year elected position with the pay frozen at $55,085 annually, plus benefits.
The office handles several responsibilities, including monitoring expenditures, paying bills, investing money, issuing payroll, evaluating compliance with county contracts and administering the county’s retirement system.
In 2006, that involved a $61 million budget, $22.1 million in wages and a $2 million retirement payroll.
Duncan says his interest in the position surfaced after he heard complaints about Peo, especially after the county could not pay its 2006 tax anticipation note in December and was forced to borrow money.
Peo counters that he had the choice between paying the note or paying county employees, and he chose to pay employees.
This year, Peo has been setting aside money to pay the 2007 tax anticipation note.
The controller also is a member of the county’s retirement, prison and salary boards, which reviews and permits the hiring of employees.
Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 946-7456.
Eugene J. “Stu” Duncan, 79, who won the Democratic nomination, says he is ready to return to public service and wants the role of keeping track of county finances.
Richard J. Peo, 58, who won the Republican nomination, has held the controller’s seat since 1994. He says that gives him valuable experience in tracking the large and complex or-ganizational structure in the county.
The controller’s job is a four-year elected position with the pay frozen at $55,085 annually, plus benefits.
The office handles several responsibilities, including monitoring expenditures, paying bills, investing money, issuing payroll, evaluating compliance with county contracts and administering the county’s retirement system.
In 2006, that involved a $61 million budget, $22.1 million in wages and a $2 million retirement payroll.
Duncan says his interest in the position surfaced after he heard complaints about Peo, especially after the county could not pay its 2006 tax anticipation note in December and was forced to borrow money.
Peo counters that he had the choice between paying the note or paying county employees, and he chose to pay employees.
This year, Peo has been setting aside money to pay the 2007 tax anticipation note.
The controller also is a member of the county’s retirement, prison and salary boards, which reviews and permits the hiring of employees.
Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 946-7456.
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