“Consistency is best for this office. I want to see how good we can make it, how best to streamline it and make it as efficient as possible. Someone with no experience can do the county great disservices... ”
Jennifer Haigler is the sitting Blaine County Clerk and is running for re-election as a Republican. That election is June 30.
Haigler, a lifelong resident of the county and graduate of Canton High School, was working at Diamondback Correctional Facility in 2010 when it closed. The county clerk at the time, Linda McPherson, asked if she could assist part time with the land indexes. That turned into full time work in March 2011. When McPherson retired, Della Wallace was appointed to complete her unfilled term and Haigler was trained as a payroll and land records clerk. In 2016, after talking it over with other clerks in the office, Haigler ran unopposed and stepped into the office in January 2017. Her philosophy about the office is clear.
Her philosophy about the office is clear. “You trust the people in your office. You give the employees the skills and confidence to do the job even when someone else is absent. Not everyone uses the same process but the end result is what counts,” she said. Although Haigler has been in the office for
Although Haigler has been in the office for a while now, she says she still learns something new every day. The audits she has overseen have been excellent learning opportunities. The 2017 audit (for the 2015-16 fiscal year) showed where streamlining changes could be made and how the county could implement internal controls. “We segregated the duties further, “ she said. “Fresh eyes look at all tasks.”
The office has made changes the state auditors discover need to be made in other counties. There are continual trainings for county clerks, and Haigler said she has gone to many of them. “I go to annual county clerk schools, and I learn a lot by asking questions of other clerks as well.”
Haigler said in her time in office she has improved communication between county offices and the officials are working together for the good of the county. She wants to continue in the position because she believes consistency matters.
“Consistency is best for this office. I want to see how good we can make it, how best to streamline it and make it as efficient as possible. Someone with no experience can do the county great disservices,” Haigler said.
“I would like the opportunity to continue to serve the county to the best of my ability, with courtesy and consistency.”
Connie Burcham can be reached at Editor@WatongaRepublican.com