Hayes and Yarnall sworn in

Staci Hayes and Mary Yarnall were sworn in last Wednesday at the commissioners’ meeting. Candidates had a few dates to choose on which to take their oath of office. Hayes and Yarnall chose to recite the oath together and after stumbling over a few words were officially ready to step into their new positions on January 1.

Hayes, a republican, was elected in November to replace Kathy Jasper, who’s retiring, as Mineral County clerk and recorder. Yarnall, a republican, was selected by voters to replace incumbent Anna Getz as Mineral County treasurer and superintendant of schools.

“I was overwhelmed and just relieved that it is over,” Hayes said shortly after the election. “And I just want to say thank you again to all who supported me through the entire process.”

Yarnall expressed similar sentiments after the election.

 “It was somewhat surreal,” she said. “I worked so hard to win and it was so close. I’m very thankful. I just want to thank those who supported me. I’m excited to get started and I’m going to work as hard as ever to serve the people of Mineral County.”

Prior to running for election, both candidates had been exposed to the offices that they will take over in January.

Hayes worked in the clerk and recorder’s office for about eleven-and-a-half years, serving as the deputy clerk for just under eleven years. For her, running for the position of clerk and recorder was the next step.

The office handles everything from elections, payroll, handling insurances, accounting, paying the bills of the county and recording.

Yarnall had worked in the treasurer’s office for ten years. She worked on the motor vehicle side of things as well as on the tax side. She said that on the motor vehicle side she’s worked with customers, title work and renewals. She’s also worked with tax balances and printing taxes as well as balancing receipts.

Yarnall decided to run because she felt that she can do a lot to bring the office forward by incorporating the use of technology.

Both candidates said that for the parts they weren’t familiar with they will be working to quickly learn what is needed.

Ernest Ornelas has already been sworn in as sheriff and is currently filling the role. The other candidates for the remaining positions will be sworn at a commissioners’ meeting before the end of the year.