The Saline Reporter
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Clerk, treasurer running unopposed
By Brian Cox, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: July 17, 2008
The Washtenaw County clerk and treasurer incumbents are running uncontested in the 2008 general election.
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Catherine McClary is seeking her fourth four-year term as county treasurer, while Larry Kestenbaum is looking for a second term. Barring a successful write-in campaign both will return to office.
First elected in 1996, McClary came to the office of country treasurer after serving 14 years on the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners.
During that time, she worked as a stockbroker and investment banker. She holds a degree from the University of Michigan and is a certified public finance officer.
As Treasurer of Washtenaw County, McClary is a constitutional officer for the county and has statutory authority to protect public funds and collect delinquent taxes. She manages the investment of $200 million, collects $28 million in delinquent property taxes, issues delinquent tax notes, and receipts, and reconciles an annual cash flow of half a billion dollars.
McClary is a member of various professional organizations and has received several awards for her community activities. She grew up in Washtenaw County having lived in Augusta, Ypsilanti and Webster townships. She currently resides in the city of Ann Arbor with her husband and two children.
Last year, she was awarded a 2007 Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties for her Property Tax Foreclosure Prevention Program.
Leading up to his first bid for county clerk, Kestenbaum participated in nearly every aspect of the election process, serving as an election inspector, poll challenger, director of voter registration drives and as an attorney in recounts.
An attorney, Kestenbaum is a member of the Sierra Club, the American Civil Liberties Union and the Pittsfield Union Grange.
As a side interest, Kestenbaum is the creator of politicalgraveyard.com, a popular Web site on U.S. political history.
Married and with a 6-year-old daughter, Kestenbaum lives in Ann Arbor, where they are active members of Temple Beth Emeth.
Over the course of his next term, Kestenbaum said he would lead the effort to automate court records.
"Automation of court records is something that's long overdue," he said, adding that he also plans to continue making progress in improving the system of calling juries.
"Locally, we've made progress," he said, "but every county is struggling with (jury selection) and I'd like to see it solved statewide."
Staff Writer Brian Cox can be reached at 429-7380 or bcox@heritage.com.
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