by Tim Troglen
Reporter
Aside from the presidential primary March 4, Cuyahoga County residents will have plenty of other positions to consider when punching their ballot.
County prosecutor
Bill Mason, incumbent Cuyahoga County prosecutor and a Democrat, will face Republican challenger Annette G. Butler in the November general election.
Mason is finishing up his second four-year term as prosecutor. He is the former law director and prosecutor of Parma, a Parma Councilor and assistant Cuyahoga County prosecuting attorney.
Butler was an assistant U.S. attorney for 24 years, retiring in 2006. She is currently teaching a the Academy of Court Reporting. This is her first try at a political office.
Clerk of Courts
Incumbent Clerk of Courts Gerald E. Fuerst, who has served as clerk since 1975, has filed for another term. Fuerst, a Democratic and an attorney, was previously elected state representative for two terms and has served as a county government liaison officer for five years.
Fuerst will face Republican challenger Burrell A. Jackson in November.
Sheriff
Gerald T. McFaul, a Democrat, has been the Cuyahoga County sheriff since 1976. He has filed for re-election and will face Democratic challenger Paul E. Falzone, the current police chief of Bratenahl, in the March primary.
Before being elected sheriff, McFaul was a Cleveland Councilor for nine years and served as the majority leader of Council. He was the first administrator of the $38 million direct-supervision jail, which opened in 1977.
Falzone was a Cleveland police officer for 27 years, working patrol, burglary, training, warrants, narcotics and intelligence. He is a member of the Cuyahoga County Chiefs of Police Association. He serves on the CCCPA Board of Governors as its first vice president.
Recorder
Three people have filed to run for Cuyahoga County recorder.
Democratic incumbent Patrick J. O'Malley will face Democrat Nelson Cintron Jr. in the primary.
The winner will face Republican Cathy Luks in the November general election.
Treasurer
Incumbent Democrat Jim Rokakis will face Democrat Daniel M. Flanagan in March. No Republicans filed for the primary.
Engineer
Democrat Robert C. Klaiber Jr. is running unopposed.
Coroner
Democrat Frank Miller is running unopposed.
E-mail: TTroglen@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3165