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It's Grove Against Slemp for County Auditor [The Chronicle, Centralia, Wash. :: ](Chronicle, The (Centralia, WA) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) May 17--Jenifer Slemp, a Napavine city councilor and former chair of the Lewis County Democrats, and Larry Grove, Lewis County's chief accountant, both filed this week to replace retiring Lewis County Auditor Gary Zandell. Zandell, 73, said in 2010 that he would not run in 2014. Zandell will complete his seventh and final term this year. Grove, who has been endorsed by Zandell, has worked in the auditor's office since 1989. Before working in Lewis County, Grove worked for a private accounting firm in Olympia and later worked for the state Auditor's Office. Grove, a fourth-generation Lewis County native, grew up on a family farm on the Cowlitz River. He served two tours in Vietnam in the Navy after graduating from Toledo High School. Following his military service, he attended Centralia College and then transferred to Washington State University, where he earned a degree in wildlife biology. He currently serves on the Centralia College Accounting Advisory Board, is a member of the Napavine Oddfellows lodge and attends the Centralia Church of the Nazarene. Slemp, a Centralia native, has said she would prioritize advancing technology in the departments of licensing and records as the auditor. Slemp, who stepped down as chair of the Lewis County Democrats earlier this year, said she will maintain a nonpartisan approach. Through the Lewis County Democrats she has been involved in the community. She is vice president of the Napavine Foundation and is a member of the Lewis County Sales Tax Advisory Board. She has been a part of the Lewis County Democrats for eight years and previously served as chair of the 20th Legislative District Democrats. She started her working career as the executive assistant of a funeral home where she oversaw the business's daily operations and financial reports. Later, she managed a yacht brokerage business. See more coverage on page Main 7. ___ (c)2014 The Chronicle (Centralia, Wash.) Visit The Chronicle (Centralia, Wash.) at www.chronline.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |