Eley to fill Redkey vacancy

Dominic Martyne didn’t have to look far to find Redkey’s next clerk-treasurer.

Martyne, chairman of the Jay County Democrats, on Tuesday named Mary Eley to the position. Eley has served as utility clerk under Redkey clerk-treasurer Debbie James for two and a half years.

James announced her retirement Nov. 5. Her last day on the job will be Dec. 10.

Eley will fill out the remainder of her term, which runs through 2023.

There were a few candidates who inquired about the position, Martyne said, but others did not meet the requirements. In order to be eligible, a candidate must live inside Redkey town limits and have voted in the most recent Democratic primary.

Prior to being appointed, Eley said she has learned a lot from James and plans on going through training with Keystone Financial Management.

“I love my job,” Eley said. “I like seeing that we have made a difference …”

She added that she has already talked with other clerk-treasurers in the county and feels they will be an asset to her as she steps into the new role.

“I am nervous … New things are kind of scary sometimes,” Eley said. “But I do feel confident that I can do the job.”

Eley, 47, has lived in Jay County for most of her life, the only exception being a brief stint in Ridgeville. She attended Jay County High School and received her GED in 2003. Prior to working for the town, she was assistant manager of Pak-a-Sak in Redkey.

When James, 63, leaves office, she will have served as clerk-treasurer for Redkey for almost exactly 10 years. She was appointed to the post in December 2010 to fill out the unexpired term of Sandy Kirby. She was unopposed for election in 2011 and 2015 before defeating independent challenger Myra Davis last year.

Tuesday’s appointment was the second Martyne has made in Redkey government this year. This summer, he named Dottie Quakenbush — she was the only other Democrat in attendance at Tuesday’s meeting — to Redkey Town Council following the resignation of Terri Taylor.