BY JANE PRENDERGAST
The Cincinnati Enquirer
NEWPORT -- With days to go before voters choose a new Campbell County attorney, sparks are flying between the two candidates.
Justin Verst is angry about fliers sent out by his opponent, Bob Blau. Mr. Verst, an assistant county attorney, says they unfairly imply he's lining his pockets with child support money.
Mr. Blau is referring to incentive monies given to county attorneys for handling child support cases. He says Mr. Verst's boss, County Attorney Paul Twehues, took in an extra $172,000 in incentives in 1994.
That's true, Mr. Verst says, but the money came from a legitimate program in which many county attorneys took part. And, he says, he got none of it, only $15 an hour to work there. Sally Schatteman, director of the child support program, agreed and wrote a letter to Mr. Blau saying so.
"From day one I've run a positive campaign and taken the high road. Unfortunately my opponent has not," Mr. Verst said.
Mr. Blau is also attacking Mr. Verst because Mr. Verst's nephew, Bill, is running for Campbell County commissioner. If both are elected, Mr. Blau says, "uncle Justin" will be advising "nephew Bill."
Mr. Blau, 43, of Fort Thomas, has practiced law since 1982. He says, if elected, he will clean up the child support office, something he calls "miserably mismanaged."
Mr. Verst, 49, of Cold Spring, has been an assistant county attorney for more than 20 years. He highlights several things he and Mr. Twehues have done in that time, including closing the Cinema X Theater, the Adult Book Store and many strip bars.
