Heather Sawyer-Spangler is a candidate for Blaine County Clerk. She has lived here almost her entire life, leaving briefly for college classes. She is a 2005 graduate of Watonga High School.
When Sawyer-Spangler was in high school she worked in the clerk’s office during school breaks and even part time when she was attending college. She earned an associate degree in business management. When she returned to Watonga in 2009, she went to work full time at the clerk’s office in land records. She went to part time when she started a family and now works at the assessor’s office full time.
Sawyer-Spangler said her reason for running was because “A lot of people came to me and said I’d be great and encouraged me to run.” Another impetus was be an example for her children.
Her goals for the clerk’s office, if elected, include digital indexing of land records. The records are behind, she said and that impacts the banks, mortgage companies and abstract offices. Sawyer-Spangler thinks documents that are filed in the clerk’s office such as warranty deeds, quit claim deeds and mortgages should be computerized and hand indexing eliminated. That would save time and storage space.
“But I know the clerk has a lot of jobs and I will learn something new every day, even though I have worked on all sides of the office.”
Another goal is to get the purchase orders paid accurately in a timely manner. That would eliminate late fees and stop payment fees. “They add up if it happens often,” Sawyer-Spangler said.
She answered objections to her youth by saying, “ Being younger, I can be in the office and gain even more experience, even though I have been there over a span of 20 years off and on.”
Sawyer-Spangler said she has a good relationship with the commissioners and talked to them before she filed to run. She also believes human resources needs its own office because it is hard to hold confidential conversations without being overheard. Another human resource issue is moving payroll to twice a month. “It is more work on the clerk, for sure, but it could be handled if enough people wanted it,” she said.
Sawyer-Spangler also said if elected she would ask the existing staff to remain with the office if they wanted to stay.
“If they are there to help you, why would you let them go? It would be stupid,” she said.
Sawyer-Spangler said she enjoys the office. “It’s what I’ve always done and it’s what I know. I like being in my hometown, where my family and friends are.”