TROY - On Nov. 2, voters will weigh in on whether a Republican appointed Miami County Treasurer, Patricia Quillen, will be elected to complete her unexpired term or if the challenging Democrat, David Mihalyo, will be elected instead.

Quillen, 59, of Troy, succeeded former county treasurer Lydia Callison after she retired from the post earlier this year. Quillen said she is “running to complete the unexpired term to which I was appointed” after serving in a variety of public capacities, including serving from 2000-09 as the elected fiscal officer of Concord Township in addition to being the appointed clerk-treasurer for the village of Potsdam from between 2004 and 2009.

“I have served the public in government finance for over 10 years and I want to continue to work hard to provide a personal touch to all who come in contact with me,” the Republican candidate said.

Mihalyo, 47, a resident of Tipp City, is running for the post to “provide the citizens of Miami County with an honest, hard-working candidate that will serve as a full-time treasurer.” His history relative to public service includes being a member of the Tipp Monroe Community Services Board, the Tipp City Park Advisory Board and the Friends of the Tipp City Public Library.

“I seek to serve the public to make office operations more cost-effective and user-friendly for county residents,” the Democrat challenger said. “I also want to improve residents’ access to current financial information via the website.”

Both candidates stated that, if elected, three important goals they say they would like to implement would be:

Mihalyo: “If elected, I would like to implement web-based electronic payment options and insure financial information is continually available online to all residents. I would also like to hold financial education seminars to help the residents of Miami County better manage their own finances.”

Quillen: “If elected, the three goals I would like to implement are launching a user-friendly, interactive website; accepting credit cards, debit card, and electronic checks (at the treasurer’s office); and initiating an escrow payment plan so taxpayers can pay in monthly installments.”

Both candidates were asked what some issues they felt needed to be addressed at the county level and how they would go about addressing such concerns if elected.

Quillen said, “The duties of the county treasurer are narrowly defined by the statutes.”

Mihalyo said, “The citizens of Miami County need a leader in the treasurer’s office who will committed to working full-time hours to receive full-time compensation. If elected, I would be honored to serve in that capacity. In addition, I would concentrate my efforts to move the office forward by embracing applications of technological advancement wherever possible.”

When asked what three qualities each candidate felt was important for someone who wants to be county treasurer, each one responded:

Mihalyo: “I feel three traits the individual serving as Miami County Treasurer must have in order to effectively perform their duties include being detail-oriented, being organized and possessing a genuine passion to help the public.”

Quillen: “Honesty, dependability and being approachable.”

Both candidates agree on why they feel this position is so important.

Quillen: “Landowners need to know that their taxes are being collected and posted fairly, impartially, and in an accurate manner. While this office has many duties, the collection of real estate taxes is the way that most people in the county come in contact with the office of treasurer.”

Mihalyo: “The position of Miami County treasurer is even more important today because of current economic conditions. The treasurer must keep track of county investments ensuring maximum return is achieved at minimum expense to county residents. For this reason it is imperative Miami County have a treasurer who is will to put forth full time effort to oversee precious tax payers’ dollars.”

Quillen is a member of various organizations and affiliations, including with the County Treasurers’ Association of Ohio, the Miami County Township Association and the Miami County Republican Women.

“I have 10 years of experience in governmental finance and 35 years of financial experience in the private sector,” Quillen said.

Mihalyo also is a member of various organizations, too, including being a member of the Miami County Democratic Party Executive Committee and the Central Committee and a member of the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.

“My work as an account manager for a national environmental company provides the perfect work experience for the county treasurer’s position,” Mihalyo said. “As an account manager, I managed over 400 clients on a daily basis. Similarly, the treasurer must manage many different funds for the various government entities in Miami County on a daily basis as well.”

For more information on either candidate, visit their websites at davidmihalyo.com and miamicountygop.org.