Three vying in clerk race

Dunkirk voters have not two but three options for clerk-treasurer.

Incumbent Democrat Tina Elliott faces two challengers — Republican Jay Miller and independent Kelly Watson — in the race for Dunkirk clerk-treasurer.

Elliott is a resident of Franklin Street. She graduated from Ball State University in 1994.

She is running for the first time after being appointed following Phonnie Kesler’s win in the 2015 election. Kesler had resigned from the position in August, but it was too late at that point to remove her name from the ballot.

Miller is a Pearl Street resident who works as a call center manager. He is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and has an associate’s degree.

Watson is a resident of Commerce Street who has worked in the county auditor’s office for more than 12 years. She is a 1982 graduate of Centerville High School and has taken independent college courses.

She originally filed to challenge Elliott in the Democratic primary, but her candidacy was challenged by then-party chair Randy Mann. She was removed from the ballot because she had not voted as a Democrat in the most recent primary election and did not receive a letter of support from the party chair.

The candidates were asked to respond to a questionnaire from The Commercial Review. Their answers follow.



What do you consider the most important role of the clerk-treasurer?

Elliott: The most important role of this job is to be as transparent as possible, honest, and to be the best steward of the city’s money as possible. Putting all your effort into the job before you.

Miller: First, to provide service to the citizens that elected them. That is to run the city office in such a way that every citizen feels welcome. We should always greet the people that enter the office in a polite, courteous and professional manner. Determine what their need is and do everything in our power to meet those needs. Do not get hung up on what we cannot do. Equally important is maintaining the budget in a clear, open manner. Council should always have a complete understanding of where monies are spent and what they still have available.

Watson: I feel that keeping city funds and accounts balanced is the most important role. Understanding budgets is also important.



What would you do to improve the functioning of the clerk-treasurer’s office if you were elected/re-elected?

Elliott: I would continue on in the manner that I have been doing, giving my best back to the city. Continuing to be honest, upright and giving my all.

Miller: I would ensure the city office is run in a manner that provides support to the citizens of the community and make every effort to resolve issues as they occur. I would also make sure that the council has an up-to-date understanding of what funds have been spent and what is still available to each department for each budgeted item the council has approved for this period.

Watson: I would make sure I was balancing the city’s funds and remember I was elected by the citizen’s of Dunkirk to do the very best job.



What makes you the best candidate for Dunkirk clerk-treasurer?

Elliott: I recently went through a four-year audit by the state board of accounts and was very pleased with results. I have an awesome staff in place that gets along well with public. We have established a great rapport with the public, and they have been very complimentary of us all. I have worked very hard to get this office in order and I know my job well. I am dedicated and all-in to the City of Dunkirk.

This is my time to give back to a community who raised me up.

Miller: I started working in the computer industry for the U.S. Air Force in 1989, and since then I have obtained over 38 years of management experience in the industry, working with people, property and budgets. This experience ranges from the U.S. Air Force to working at U.S. Bank, and for the last eight years I’ve worked at a customer service call center. The last five of which I have been a supervisor, training advisors how to deal with the public in a courteous and professional manner always looking for how we can help.

Watson: I have over 12 years experience with the county auditor’s office. I have balanced payroll, been through many state and federal audits, helped with human resources and generally enjoyed all aspects of being a part of the Auditor’s office.