Ruhl named R.I. County clerk; Camlin gets board post

By Brandy Donaldson, bdonaldson@qconline.com

The Rock Island County Board on Tuesday named Dianna Ruhl as interim county clerk and Nick Camlin as interim county board representative for District 15.

Former County Clerk Dick Leibovitz, first elected in 1986, resigned last month to retire early. Ted Davies, who represented District 15 on the county board for more than 30 years, also retired last month. Both had five months remaining on their terms; neither sought re-election this year.

Because both officials were Democrats, they had to be replaced with Democrats recommended by county board chairman Jim Bohnsack. Board members on Tuesday unanimously approved the appointments of Ms. Ruhl and Mr. Camlin, who will serve until Nov. 30 when officers elected in the Nov. 2 general election are seated.

Democrat Karen Kinney and Republican Harrison Wallace are vying for the county clerk position. Ms. Kinney, who won a three-way Democratic primary for the nomination, was offered the interim position, but declined it.

Nick Leibovitz, one of Ms. Kinney's primary opponents, resigned from his position as deputy county clerk as of Friday to work elsewhere. He gave two weeks notice, Mr. Bohnsack said.

Nick Leibovitz had supervised the office since his father's exit on June 30.

Ms. Ruhl will be paid a little more than $20,600 for her four months as county clerk. The annual salary for that position is $82,500. Her office manager position and the deputy clerk seat will remain vacant until the new county clerk is elected, Mr. Bohnsack said.

Ms. Ruhl has worked in the county clerk's office for 32 years, the last four as office manager. She frequently acted in an official capacity in Mr. Leibovitz's absence.

"Its natural to appoint someone who knows how to manage the office and has done so anyway," Mr. Bohnsack said Tuesday. "She will do a great job. We're confident we won't see anything different in the office other than the name of the person who is running it."

Ms. Ruhl has held several positions in the office, including deputy clerk for former county clerk William Foley.

"We will continue to have good elections and wait to see who wins (in the general election)," she said. "We've always run good elections and we will continue to do so."

Mr. Bohnsack said he recommended Mr. Camlin for Mr. Davies' vacant seat because Mr. Camlin won the Democratic nomination for that district in last year's contested primary election, indicating he was the party's choice.

Mr. Camlin faced Mr. Davies son, Jim Davies, in the primary. He's up against Republican Bill Long in the general election. Mr. Camlin will be paid $500 per month, for a total of $2,000. The stipend for county board members is $6,000.

"I'm thrilled to have this opportunity afforded to me," Mr. Camlin said. "I'm very eager to get busy working for District 15. I believe this is the right thing for me to do, to take this appointment. I think I'm the best person for the job and I think my district wants the best person representing them."