Platforms have been set, and already, allegations are flying in the campaign for Circuit Clerk of DeKalb County.

Republican incumbent Maureen Josh is following a “qualified candidate” platform, feeling that her past four years in office have earned her the respect and knowledge she needs to continue to lead the office of clerk.

“I don’t feel that anyone is as qualified as I am to serve as DeKalb circuit clerk,” Josh said. She said her work with the legal community has helped her better manage the clerk’s office.

However, according to Josh’s opponent Linda Finn, many things need to be changed.

To date, Finn’s public forums and town meetings have been centered around budget management and capital investments. Finn said she believes the budget management and investment practices of the incumbent have not been conducted in a responsible manner.

Finn is particularly concerned with the period of time county certificates of deposit were left unrenewed. She said the late renewal of the certificates caused a loss of money to the county, and she believes the office of clerk is responsible.

When asked about the lapse in renewals, Josh said she realizes a mistake had been made, and it was unfortunate. “I have spoken to the voters, and I have assured them that something like this will never happen again. It was an honest, human mistake, and I hope my opponent realizes that,” Josh said.

A common characteristic of campaigning also has found its way into this election. Although the office of circuit clerk is a non-policy-making, non-judicial office, political mudslinging has been rumored.

“When I was running in my primary election, a lot of rumors, mudslinging, and personal attacks occurred,” Josh said. “My opponent (Finn) has resorted to the same tactics.

“This is an office where politics are not necessary. I want to run a campaign based on issues and merits of my term as clerk. We manage records here, and I don’t see the need to campaign for anything more,” Josh said. “Never in three elections have I said a negative word about my opponents.”

In response to the allegations of avoiding issues and creating bad public images, Finn said she is running a legitimate, honest campaign.

“I am running a positive campaign, and I hate to think that Maureen feels I’m mudslinging,” Finn said. “Everyone who knows me thinks of me as a positive person with good ideas. Maureen is going to throw this around that I’m a negative person. I have to think that she is running a negative campaign.”

Finn’s platform focuses on personnel training, the management of a budget she believes can be trimmed, improved communications in the office of clerk and the development of long-term plans for automation improvements on the office’s computers.

Incumbent Josh stressed the fact that she has run an office with a newly-reorganized filing system, increased access to a new automation system in the office and a more up-to-date microfilm system. Josh stated her office processes more than 17,000 legal cases a year. The newly-implemented filing systems have been an enormous help, she said.

The circuit clerk serves DeKalb, Kendall and Kane counties.