The county clerk is an office that, though vital, is one which citizens rarely ponder. What is the role of the county clerk? Why does it matter?

According to the New York State Association of Counties, the county clerk in your county is a record keeper. Charged with maintaining records in a secure and well-organized, easily-located format, they embrace new technology whenever appropriate to enhance the customer (the county resident) service. With records spanning deeds to licenses and many things in between, they maintain ready access for when you need it most.

The county clerk matters when you need it most, and there is no room for error in this role. A county clerk should have strong management and customer service skills, a county clerk should be well versed in technological advances that can preserve documents for posterity, a county clerk should be dedicated to collaborating with county officials to be part of improving the overall area.

The county clerk is an elected position. In November, you may place your vote for one of two candidates for Oneida County clerk. I will not vote for Merima Smajic-Oren, though I commend her background as an attorney, I remain unconvinced that her degree offers her any experience in managing our records or managing our DMV offices with any alacrity.

The other candidate, Mary Finegan, has extensive experience as a town clerk in one of the larger towns in our county. I have come to know Mary this past year, and as an individual she is committed to working tirelessly to better our county—and particularly our DMV—within the confines of the office of county clerk, and in collaboration with other leaders in our county, and also in her personal endeavors. She will do so with a smile on her face. In November, I will vote for experience. I will vote for a public servant. I will vote for Mary. 

— Heather Evans, Utica