By Liz Zemba

Published: Friday, March 8, 2013, 12:01 a.m.
Updated: Wednesday, April 3, 2013

A Franklin Township supervisor is running for Fayette County treasurer.

Melvin E. Lerch Jr. is seeking the Democratic nomination for the four-year elected post.

The office is open because the incumbent, Robert Danko, will retire when his term expires in December.

Lerch said he first had an interest in the office 24 years ago, but he opted not to run because his friend, Danko, was a candidate.

“I was a township supervisor and I decided to stay there,” Lerch said. “I did not think that Bob would stay more than one or two terms.”

An outdoorsman, Lerch said he has an interest in the office because of its role issuing hunting and fishing licenses.

Lerch has been a Franklin supervisor for 29 years. He said he feels that he can transfer some of his experience running a township to running a county office.

If elected, Lerch, 59, said he has no immediate plans for changes to the office because “it runs efficiently now.” He said he likely would visit treasurers' offices in neighboring counties to determine whether any of their practices would prove beneficial in Fayette.

“I would study it out and visit other offices to see if we can pick up any pointers,” Lerch said.

Lerch is a graduate of Uniontown High School.

The father of two sons, he is a member of Juniata Sportsman's Club and Star Junction Fish and Game Club.

Liz Zemba is a reporter for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 412-601-2166 or lzemba@tribweb.com.

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