To the Editor:

I would like to address this letter to all those who intend to vote on Nov. 8. Although every electoral race is important, one in particular this year, should be at the forefront of the minds of St. Lawrence County voters.

This year you will elect a new Treasurer for our county. Our county is facing a critical time financially and this decision should not be taken lightly. Voters may not realize that the existing budget for St. Lawrence County is nearly a quarter of a billion dollars. If you owned a business that had a budget that size, who would you choose to manage your finances?

I believe most shrewd businesses would seek out the most qualified individual, with the most experience and the best credentials. If this were not an elected position, and the voters of St. Lawrence County had the opportunity to compare resumes to choose from, they would see that my credentials, expertise, work experience, and passion for this position would not be matched.

I am Derek Van House and I am running for St. Lawrence County Treasurer. I am a licensed certified public accountant in New York State. For the past 17 years I have been working at a very successful, well respected CPA firm in St. Lawrence County (13 years as a partner).

For nearly two decades, local governments, school districts, businesses and major institutions have been hiring me to analyze their finances and offer their internal accountants and bookkeepers advice on how they can do a better job keeping track of their finances. I have a proven track record of identifying financial mismanagement, knowing how to correct it, and implementing the proper safeguards to prevent it from happening again.

St. Lawrence County is poised for a financial turnaround with new opportunities that our local leaders have worked very hard to bring to our area. It is imperative that we have qualified people in the treasurer’s office to ensure that the funds generated by these new prospects are managed, tracked and protected properly. St. Lawrence County has NEVER had a Certified Public Accountant in the Treasurer’s Office to provide that level of expertise.

In light of the recent issues that have come to light within the accounting positions at the county, which has been covered extensively in the paper, it is apparent that serious reform is needed in the treasurer’s office.

Therefore, before you vote I ask that you please do your homework and compare qualifications, experience, and credentials. I believe your choice will then become clear. This race is far too important for the financial future of St. Lawrence County to just vote for a political party line. Thank you!

Derek R. Van House, CPA

Candidate for St. Lawrence County treasurer