Commissioner announces run for Clerk of Courts

County Commissioner Ted Kalo announced Dec. 5 his candidacy for the office of Lorain Municipal Clerk of Courts.

Lorain County Commissioner Ted Kalo announced Dec. 5 his candidacy for the office of Lorain Municipal Clerk of Courts, according to a news release.

Kalo, who was first elected a Lorain County commissioner in 2004, will run in the May 7, 2019, Democratic Primary where he will seek to succeed current Lori Maiorana, who is set to retire next year, the release said.

Maiorana announced in September she would not seek re-election. Her term expires Dec. 31, 2019.

Kalo will face off against current deputy clerk Jeff Bearer, who gained the early endorsement of Maiorana.

As a commissioner, Kalo serves on the Justice and Public Safety Committee of the County Commissioners Association of Ohio and has worked on legislative issues related to indigent defense, funding for the courts and the effects of state and federal policy on the local justice system, according to the release.

“During my time as your Lorain County commissioner, I have gained an understanding of the complexities, needs, capabilities and limitations of the justice system,” Kalo wrote. “As clerk, I will use my experience as an elected official, small business owner and active community member to enhance the office and make it more efficient for our courts, police and community.”

Kalo added he will seek to use the role of clerk to collect the vital revenue necessary to keep communities safe.

“The clerk’s office is charged with collecting revenue from fines and court costs, which is a major source of revenue for the jurisdictions within the court system,” he said. “It is imperative that the office is collecting what is owed since court revenue funds the criminal justice system as well as our police officers, our firefighters and other city services.”

Since 1996, Kalo has been a small business owner as president of Ted’s Floor Coverings, 1125 North Ridge Road.

As a community member, Kalo has served on the United Way Emergency Food Shelter, and Utilities Committee, as past president/board member of the Lorain Palace Civic Center and as a participant in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, the release said.

Kalo currently serves as an executive board member of the Lorain County Chamber of Commerce and as a member of the Jim Popiel Scholarship Fund committee.

Born and raised in Lorain, Kalo is a 1979 graduate of Admiral King High School and attended Lorain County Community College and Cleveland State University.

He resides in Lorain with his wife, Wendy, and they have five adult children and six grandchildren, according to the release.

The Lorain Municipal Clerk of Courts serves the cities of Lorain, Sheffield Lake and Sheffield Township.

Kalo