WHITLEY CITY —      This week The McCreary County Record is featuring survey responses from county clerk candidates. They include:



•    Eric Haynes is the Republican incumbent.

•    Steven W. Waters is a Democrat candidate.

•    Charley Wayne Phelps is a Democrat candidate.

•    William Kilby is a Republican candidate.



Background



HAYNES: Hello, my name is Eric Haynes and I am a Republican candidate for the office of County Clerk. I have been married to my wife, Renee Haynes, for over 18 years and we have two children, Seth and Adrionna. I have owned and operated a car dealership in the county for over 20 years, which has helped to establish relationships throughout the community and given me a great deal of knowledge regarding the title process.

I have had the honor of serving as your County Clerk for the past year. Before taking office I had the opportunity to bee trained by Jo Kidd herself, which was very helpful. I have also make an effort to attend any and all training offered by the state and continue to do so monthly. I have accrued 94 hours of training thus far and feel it’s an essential part of the job. It allows me to stay up to date on state laws and regulations, which I utilize to better help the community.



PHELPS: I’m Charley Wayne Phelps running for County Clerk on the Democrat ticket. I’m married to Myrtlene and we have two daughters and five grandchildren. We all live in Stearns.

I was service manager for Kentucky Utilities in Whitley City and Williamsburg and we provided electric service to approximately the same number of citizens as the population of McCreary County. Seven employees answered directly to me and that’s about the same number as works in the County Clerk’s office. My job provided valuable skills and experiences in dealing with the public, superiors, subordinates, and fellow workers. I’m familiar with record keeping, budgeting, audits, revenue collections and deposits, supervision, and safety in the workplace. I’m also familiar with setting goals for individuals and teams and devising a plan for achieving those goals. Then possibly using those goals and achievements as a tool when adjusting salaries. I know how to delegate and rotate duties and to utilize competent, trustworthy, experienced deputy clerks.



WATERS: To the citizens of McCreary County, my name is Steven W. Waters.  I am a Democrat candidate for the office of County Court Clerk.  I graduated from McCreary County High School in 1974.  I’m the son of Brad and Shirley (Winchester) Waters.  My wife is Jean (Coffey) Waters, daughter of Minnie (Coffey) Perry and the late Henry Coffey.  We have three children: Jennifer and husband Chris Cecil, Stacy and husband Dustin Kidd, and Steven Waters II.  We have two grandchildren: Jacob and Addison Cecil.

I have owned and operated my own business since March of 1983. As an over the road truck driver I have had the responsibility of doing all my own paperwork which includes: Highway Use and Ky Weight Taxes every three months for every state, mileage, log books.  After high school I worked for the County Surveyor and dealt with the deed books and records. I have rebuilt vehicles for many years and handled all the title searches and registering.  Also with registering my Kenworth I must travel to Frankfort yearly to present my taxes, mileage and IFTA paperwork.



KILBY: My wife’s name is Peggy and we have 3 children William Dee, Alex, & Kristen and we live in Pine Knot. I have been a member of the East Pine Knot Tabernacle Church of God since 1987 and Pastor since 2001. I have a great family along with a wonderful church family. I feel my personal background is one of the greatest qualifications for the office of county clerk. Honesty is an important part of the clerk’s office yes it is a fee office mandated by state law but it is also your election office. Honest and determined I am someone who wants to offer the best service to you. I hope my life has been a true witness of being Honest and Helpful. I really care for the people of McCreary County and want only to be a help to you.



How would you rate public access to county records? Do changes need to be made?



HAYNES: We, at the McCreary County Clerk’s office, have six full-time employees to assist the public in accessing county records. The staff’s duties include helping look up deeds, mortgages, tax liens, title liens, marriage licenses, transferring vehicles, transferring boats, just to name a few. Although we always strive to provide fast friendly service to the public, I feel there is always room for improvement. For example, one of the changes we are making will be scanning the public records so they can be accessed by computer, instead of having to go through the books. Another change we have already made is creating the website www.mccrearycountyclerk.com. This website allows the public to access and print forms needed for various transactions, informs the public on important office news, posts all candidates for the current election year, etc. I believe that both of these changes will allow us to serve the public faster and more efficiently.



PHELPS: I would give it a good rating. I’ve never had a problem accessing records. I would only make changes when necessary to improve public access.



WATERS: The public access to the records and deed search I would rate good.

Yes, the office space is too small, for adequate and timely service.  A list needs to be on the wall for charges made in office for public viewing of: taxes, plates, copies, license fees, recording, marriage license and etc.  Install a copy machine available for public access.



KILBY: I have always found access to county records to be open in my time of need but with change there is always room for improvement for the betterment of McCreary County.



Discuss your plans for election oversight.  What improvements can be made?



HAYNES: One thing that sticks in my mind is what Jo Kidd asked of me when I first took office. She said to treat the public friendly and courteously, and as your clerk, I believe we have. I may never be a politician, but I promise I will always be a great public servant. I am trying to visit as many citizens I can, however I apologize if I’m not able to visit each and everyone. It’s not because I don’t appreciate your support and vote, I’m just trying to put as many hours in the office that I can to better serve the public. I appreciate each and everyone for your support, and would greatly appreciate your vote on May 18th.



PHELPS: I would want the Election Board as evenly balanced with Democrat and Republican members as possible. The election officers at the polling places should be evenly balanced as well. All election workers  should be issued a manual and should  be required to study and pass a test. They should retain the manual in case a question or problem arises they are  not sure of, so all parties can refer to it. You have to go by the book or there’s going to be nothing but confusion.



WATERS: I am sure I can do the job of County Court Clerk.  I pledge myself to deliver fair, honest, and courteous service to everybody.  My goals are: The office will have a family/friendly atmosphere and, try to get the office open all day on Saturdays for the working people.



KILBY: I feel as chief election officer of this county it is one of the most important jobs of this office as times gets tougher and more deceptive we must have a strong backbone to stand against anyone or anything that would alter your choice at the poles. I will be firm against any fraud that would try to take place. Your vote will go exactly where you placed it. I will stand for you!