Clerk and recorder race sees three Republicans

Three Republican candidates, Char Sherman, Rebekah Savelle and Debbie Pierson, are seeking the Republican nomination for Flathead County Clerk and Recorder to replace Paula Robinson, who is retiring.

A fourth candidate, Corey Pilsch, has withdrawn from the race, but his name still will appear on the ballot. The winner of the June 3 primary election will advance to the Nov. 4 general election, but with no Democrats filing for the position, the winner of the primary will likely be the next clerk and recorder.

• Char Terry Sherman, 56, has worked in the clerk and recorder’s office for more than seven years and says she has a comprehensive understanding of what the job involves.

She says her expertise in organizational, process and resource management makes her uniquely qualified for the job of preserving and protecting the county’s documents.

“I have a background in finance, and over 40 years experience providing superior customer service and customer relations,” she said. “In both small and large companies, I have been very successful in team management and leadership.”

She says oversight of the election process is a top priority and needs to be efficient, impartial and fraud-proof.

“I have a very strong work ethic, and I bring the skills and insight to fulfill these responsibilities,” she said.

If elected, Sherman says she will continue the many improvements Robinson implemented over the past 12 years.

“I am a servant at heart, and I want that servant’s heart to show every time someone walks up to the counter for help,” she said. “My goal is for everyone to be treated as I would like to be treated.”

Sherman calls herself “a Montana girl through and through.”

“I love this valley and want to serve in a way that will make a difference,” she said. “I believe honesty, integrity and service are imperative, not only in my personal life but in county government as well.”

• Rebekah Eslick Savelle, 57, has worked in the clerk and recorder’s office for 25 years — more than the other candidates combined, she notes. During that time, she served as chief deputy and was involved in management, interviewing and training new employees.

“As your next clerk and recorder, I’d begin my service with a deeper understanding of the duties for this office,” she said.

She worked in the election department and as a backup clerk for the Board of Commissioners, spent two years in the plat room, and she played an instrumental role in establishing Flathead County’s Record Center.

“My personal qualities include professional integrity and common sense, knowledge of the clerk and recorder department’s functions, and wisdom in dealing with people from various life experience backgrounds,” she said.

If elected, Savelle says the first thing she would do is assess how the office is currently operating, with the goal of managing an office that is proficient in dealing with county records and electoral responsibilities.

Her next task, she says, would be “to maintain an office atmosphere that is harmonious within the ranks of the employees as well as with the citizens of the Flathead.”

“When elected clerk and recorder, I would give back to the people what I have learned through the years of ‘on the job training,’” she said.

• Debbie Pierson, 48, has 25 years of professional experience in project administration, budget management and staff coordination with Flathead County, Montana Special Olympics, American Red Cross and United Way.

“I’ve had longevity and stability in my positions,” she said. “I have proven project and staff development experience, success with building strong networks of volunteers, and proven leadership skills that have been tested and developed throughout my career.”

The Clerk and Recorder manages 16 staff with a $2.4 million annual budget and monitors financial transactions for Flathead County’s $81 million budget. As the county grant writer, Pierson secured more than $4.5 million in grant funding for Flathead County.

“Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to recruit, hire and manage multiple staff and hundreds of volunteers,” she said. “It has been my pleasure to work alongside staff and the community we serve to raise programs to a level of excellence.”

Pierson notes that the clerk and recorder office has significantly evolved under Robinson’s leadership, and while it’s important to continue that effort, some areas could be improved.

Her suggestions include evaluating the election process for efficiency and developing additional procedures to continue fair and accurate elections; evaluating staffing levels and work loads to ensure proper allocation of taxpayer resources; continuing digitization and accessibility of all records; enhancing tracking and management systems; and creating an interactive Web site that is user-friendly and easily accessible.

“I value this community, which has been my home for over 36 years,” she said. “I am at a position in life where I can commit the time and effort it will take to successfully serve my community as the next Flathead County Clerk and Recorder.”