Sep 23, 2023 By Gary Stout 3 min read

In the November general election, voters will decide who will serve as Washington County’s treasurer. The candidates are incumbent Republican Thomas Flickinger, and his Democratic opponent, Joseph Manning.

In Washington County, the treasurer’s office is an independent elected office with the primary mission to receive, disburse, and safeguard the money of the county. The treasurer collects payments of real estate taxes and fees, state and federal grants, and other money due the county. Dog licenses are issued by the office, as are licenses for fishing, hunting, fur trapping, and small games of chance.

Both candidates for the office responded to my written questions concerning their respective campaigns. What follows is a summary of their qualifications and campaign positions.

Thomas Flickinger. Flickinger is coming to the end of his first term in office. He has an master’s degree in finance and worked extensively in the banking and credit industries. He was part owner of a business that has been sold. Flickinger is proud of several initiatives he has established in the treasurer’s office. These include improving the dog license process, establishing “eNotice” which permits taxpayers to receive, pay, and get their tax receipts over the internet, and creating the Washington Abused Animal Relief Fund. This last effort has disbursed about $6,000 to animal relief organizations.

Flickinger points out that he convinced the office of Pennsylvania Tax Revenue to reimburse the county for services the treasurer was providing. At the request of the Washington County Board of Commissioners, he examined county finances. The treasurer determined that if two county bonds were refinanced, $1.75 million would be saved over the life of the bonds.

If elected to another term, Flickinger plans to “continue to seek opportunities to improve the taxpayer experience, reduce costs, and improve office operations.” As employees retire, his intention is to reduce staff to further streamline the office.

Flickinger, a Republican, is an avowed conservative on both social and financial issues. Since his election in 2019, he has not actively engaged in the rancorous disagreements that the local GOP and other elected row officers have launched against the commissioners or against the court system.

Joseph Manning. Manning was a firefighter before dedicating his career to public service. He ran as a Democrat for the Washington City Council and served for 12 years. While on council, Manning was appointed director of public safety, director of accounts and finance, and led the city’s COVID-19 response team.

If elected, Manning has pledged to review all operations in the treasurer’s office to improve its functions and service. He believes that his 30 years of experience qualifies him to “continue my mission to provide the best service possible.”

Manning has a refreshing view of how the candidates and voters should view all the row office elections, including the treasurer’s office. He believes it is “a nonissue, nonpartisan position that serves an administrative role and should serve the interests of all residents, regardless of party affiliation.” He is concerned that over the past four years “our citizens have seen too much disruption from elected officials” and that “it is time for a new beginning and a return to dignified government and public service.”

Neither candidate chose to express any negative impressions about their opponent.

By all appearances, either candidate would well serve the public’s interest as the county treasurer.

Gary Stout is a Washington attorney.