Oswald sworn in as county clerk

Conceding she has big shoes to fill, Lindsay Oswald on Tuesday was sworn in as St. Joseph County’s 29th county clerk.
The 35-year-old Lockport Township resident succeeds Pattie Bender, who retired Tuesday after a 45-year career with St. Joseph County.
Oswald was hired in 2013 to serve as the county’s grant writer. She was a 10-year employee for the city of Three Rivers, where she served as deputy clerk and eventually city clerk.
She was sworn in during a brief ceremony – Bender’s last official act as county clerk – in the courthouse yard gazebo.
Oswald was selected by circuit court judge Paul Stutesman from a field of five candidates seeking to complete the remaining 18 months of Bender’s four-year post. Oswald has said she plans to run for the four-year seat when it is up for election in August 2016.
During Oswald’s appointed period, the position will pay its current salary of about $71,000 annually.