Four vie for county's vacant clerk and recorder post

For nearly 20 years, Staci McGrew has held the position of Mineral County Clerk and Recorder, a position that includes maintaining public records and documents including birth, death, and marriage certificates as well as recording relating to real estate ownership and handling election duties.

Four candidates have filed to replace McGrew in this upcoming election, and all of them are running as Republicans. As a result, they will be on the May 8 ballot and the winner will then be on the November ballot running unopposed unless there is an independent or a write-in candidate, explained McGrew.

The candidates are Joan Carroll, Kelann McLees, Kristin Parrish, and Merry Mueller. Below is a short introduction of each candidate along with an explanation of why they would like to hold this county office.

Kristin Parrish

I have resided in Mineral County for 8 years and moved here from Arizona. I am truly honored to call Mineral County my home and I have worked in the Clerk & Recorders office for almost 2 years.

I have learned from experience that this office requires full time commitment and I pledge to the residents of this county that I will be there on a daily basis to ensure everything is completed.

It will be my number one priority and I will work very hard to ensure all aspects of this office are conducted professionally and efficiently. I would appreciate your vote and look forward to serving you.

Merry Mueller

I grew up in Missoula/Ravalli counties and moved to Mineral County 26 years ago to raise a family. Our 3 biological children graciously welcomed our 3 foster/adopted children.

My experience includes, but is not limited to, bookkeeping in a variety of industries, County, State and Federal elections, learning processing land records, helping in the county Treasurer office, service industry work at River Edge and Nugget/Durango restaurants, and community service activities.

I am so amazed and intrigued with our county history. As current Deputy Clerk & Recorder, I will continue to streamline my county duties to create an effective, accurate and healthy work environment. New collaborative ideas can be a good change. My long career in public/governmental bookkeeping, variety of life experiences and passions, and my compassion for ALL, makes me a great candidate for Mineral County Clerk & Recorder to serve the public honorably.

Joan Carroll

In 1976, my husband and I and a few family members, conceived, coordinated, and

Finalized the longest Pony Express ride in American history for the Bicentennial. We covered 11 states using riders from every county and in 12 days went 3,022 miles by horseback.

In 1976, we moved to Soldotna, Alaska where my husband opened a plumbing shop where I took care of purchasing, billing and all of the bookkeeping. In 1983, I was hired on as Correctional Officer at the prison in Kenia, Alaska. Along with working 7/12’s at the prison, on my week off I was hired on in Seward with Purcell Security for the Exxon Oil Spill. I worked 3 1/2 months without a day off.

In 1988, I transferred to Lemon Creek Correctional Center in Juneau, Alaska. On my

Performance evaluation at the prison my Sergeant said that I was the epitome or an

Example of what all Correctional officers should be.

In 1996, we retired to St. Regis and I want to work to clean up the voter rolls in

Mineral County and will always be available at the clerk’s office to help anyone with a

Question or problem.

Kelann McLees

I have lived and worked in Mineral County for 21 years. I have been married for 18 ½ years to my husband and we have 2 children. I am active in the community by volunteering seasonally for Women in Timber, Mineral County Lions Club, our youth baseball and wrestling programs and I currently sit on the Mineral County 4-H Council.

I am currently employed with the Superior School District as the district clerk/business manager. I was employed by Mineral County for 14 ½ years as the Recording Clerk for 10 years and Deputy Clerk for 4 ½ years. I feel that 14 ½ years of experience in the position(s) closely related to the sought position is satisfactory.

Some qualifications that I feel that would make me a good Clerk & Recorder is experience, work ethic, integrity, beneficial customer service and the understanding of how local governments are managed and what is expected from the local government by the public. I feel with these qualifications and understanding of the importance of this position I would be your best candidate for the position of Clerk & Recorder/Election Administrator.