Oswald named county clerk

St. Joseph County Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman announced Thursday the appointment of Lindsay Oswald to the position of county clerk/register of deeds.
The choice was made two days after Stutesman and a panel of county officials convened Tuesday to discuss the appointment. Second interviews were conducted last week with finalists Oswald and Tabitha Wedge, a 28-year county employee and current administrator of St. Joseph County District Court.
Oswald was hired in 2013 to serve as the county’s grant writer. She is the former clerk of the city of Three Rivers.
Starting July 1, the 35-year-old Oswald will serve an 18-month position as appointed clerk and register of deeds to replace Pattie Bender, who is retiring June 30. Oswald has said she plans to run for the four-year seat when it is up for election in August 2016.
The position will pay its current salary – about $71,000 annually, according to Stutesman.
Joining Stutesman in the interview process were human resources director Teresa Doehring, probate/circuit court administrator Kathy Griffin and probate court judge David Tomlinson.