My name is Bill Klaiber, and I would like to share my thoughts on the Ironton Municipal Court race, and why I endorse Mark McCown for the position.

I’ve been a Lawrence County resident my entire life, and I have known Mark for well over 30 years.  I graduated with him from Ironton High School.  I have known Mark to be a well respected, honest, and hard working individual. This was evident in high school, where he graduated at the very top of our class.  This continued through college, law school and into his professional career.  You would be hard pressed to find a more respected or more knowledgeable attorney in the region.

I always thought that Mark would wind up in a large city somewhere with a high powered law firm.  I was wrong.  Not because I overestimated Mark’s work ethic or ability to succeed on a larger stage.  I was wrong, because I underestimated Mark’s love for his community, and his compassion for the people of Ironton.  Mark chose to raise his family right here in Ironton, when his talents could have taken him to places much more glamorous. Its not glamour, or notoriety that he seeks.  He seeks a better community to raise his kids, a better community for your kids, and your grandkids.

Mark truly wants to effect change, and lead our court system into the future with integrity, transparency and innovations that past elected officials have neglected to implement.  Mark has the perfect blend of youth, experience and fresh ideas to lead this community out of the shadows of crooked “good ol’ boy” politics, and into a new era built on fairness, openness, and honesty.

I ask each of you to evaluate the facts and the foundations of each campaign.  The information is out there.  Focus on the issues, and the merits of each candidate. Ignore the white noise, and scare tactics being thrown about. This race is not about the previous judge, or previous elections.  It is about which candidate is best prepared with the laser focus, and attention to detail necessary to bring about the changes that we desperately need as a community.

If you truly look at each candidate with those things in mind, I trust that you will join me on Nov. 7 to cast your vote for Mark McCown for Ironton Municipal Court Judge.

 

Bill Klaiber
Ironton