Merrihew, who was appointed acting county clerk last November after longtime County Clerk Joseph Provoncha’s retired, won the Republican primary against DeZalia in June.

The Lake Placid News sent questionnaires to the two candidates, and their responses are below.

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Stephanie DeZalia

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Q: Why are you running for county clerk?

A: When longtime running Essex County Clerk Joseph Provoncha retired last November, I immediately started to consider running for the position. It was extremely important for me to know that there was a good candidate for the North Hudson supervisor race that would carry on with the work that I have started here in North Hudson. I spoke to my family first, colleagues and then to Mr. Provoncha before making my final decision and announcing my candidacy.

The county clerk is the keeper of records for all land and court proceedings. The clerk is also the elected official responsible for managing the DMV office on behalf of New York state. Much of what is carried on at the clerk’s office is mandated by statute but there is room for improvement of procedures. The clerk’s office also carries great fiscal responsibility as it collects and processes nearly $12 million a year that gets properly distributed among various agencies including the county and the state of New York. During my years at the clerk’s office, there were many times I would say, “If I ever have the opportunity to fix that or make this more efficient, then I would.” Now is my opportunity!

It is my belief that the role of county clerk deserves someone with a conscientious mind, someone with extreme attention to detail and a forward thinker. The clerk is at the forefront of service provision at the county level, and the good people of Essex County deserve someone that is accessible, accountable and driven to provide more for less.

I am running for many reasons but first and foremost I believe that I am the person that can provide them with the aforementioned characteristics that are needed to move this office forward. I am the candidate that will put in the extra time to find new ways to do things better, more efficiently. I also believe that the people of Essex County deserve to have a choice when heading to the ballot. This position should not be determined by “a few” but should be determined and elected by all.

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Q: What are your main goals for the position?

A: I have 15 years experience in the county clerk’s Office doing all aspects of the office. I began my career in public service at the clerk’s office as an entry-level recording clerk. I made my way through the ranks as senior recording clerk, principal recording clerk and pistol permit clerk. During those 15 years, I was instrumental in getting the current online IQS system ready for implementation. I was one of the first to use and train all of the staff on the New York State Court Electronic Filing System. The current financial reporting system that is used, I helped to develop and launch. I know the clerk’s office and the day to day operations of it. I have the experience needed to immediately begin my duties at the office on Jan. 1.

During my past five years as town supervisor, I have gained a greater knowledge of Intergovernmental operations and have developed relationships with all departments of the county. I have been a member of many county-related task forces, and I am currently the chairwoman to the Personnel Committee. I understand the needs of the county employees and as the clerk I will continue to advocate not only for those at the clerk’s and DMV office but countywide. I have, along with the board, participated in the creation of five county budgets, and I am the budget/fiscal officer for the town of North Hudson. I have developed and passed good, fair town budgets and this year the town received from the state comptroller’s office a fiscal stress score of zero. Since taking office, I have been steadily working toward this goal. I have acquired grants for the town of North Hudson, and we currently have a Main Street Revitalization Grant offering to our businesses and residents. I along with the board have launched a National Fitness Campaign to be implemented next year. I worked with Essex County Community Resources to acquire a $1.9 million Restore NY grant for the gormer Frontier Town property.

I am also a small business owner. I have a developed entrepreneurial mindset that comes with energy, enthusiasm to serve others and leadership skills to work and collaborate with all types of agencies. My business is service oriented and my clients experience is priority.

I have been in public service for over 20 years. It’s about the people. Service to others is embedded in who I am. I am a good listener, I am compassionate and I am a problem solver. Over the years in public service, in my many roles, I go home thinking, “All I did today was solve problems that were brought to me by others.” Then I think, that’s not a bad problem to have. I served others.

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Q: What are your main goals for the position?

A: When elected as your new county clerk …

– I will seek out strategies to improve the services of the DMV Office. I have several ideas on how to get our satellite DMV office open again and I will be working towards that goal in my first year.

– I will continue to expand and advance our online records availability. I will work toward the acquisition of grants for records retention and work with other county departments on the proper storage of retained files.

– I will seek ways to collaborate with other county departments to extend our services. I will be working toward providing more for our veterans through the “Return the Favor Program,” and I will be collaborating with other county departments on providing “Road to Success” packages to our small businesses that file their DBA at the County Clerk’s office.

– I will implement office strategies to provide efficiency. I will be looking at both the clerk’s and DMV office schedule and daily procedures. I will be looking for ways to provide a better work environment for the employees and a better experience for the office patrons.

– I have the experience and the skills needed to lead the clerk’s office with confidence, proficiency and with a service oriented mindset.

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Chelsea Merrihew

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Q: Why are you running for county clerk?

A: I am running for county clerk because I enjoy what I do. Since the beginning of my career, I have loved the melding of public service and local history that is the essence of the county clerk’s office. I like helping my fellow community members navigate local government while preserving the history and traditions of the office.

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Q: What are your major qualifications for the job?

A: I believe my past 16 years’ experience in the county clerk’s office makes me the most qualified person for the job of county clerk. I began in an entry-level position and worked my way through the ranks into the role of acting county clerk. Through the positions I have held, I’ve acquired a thorough, practical knowledge of all aspects of the county clerk’s office — records management, recording, pistol permits, fiscal and administrative.

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Q: What are your main goals for the position?

A: My top priority is getting the DMV adequately staffed and the staff fully trained. Also, office policies and procedures need to be reviewed and, where appropriate, updated and modernized.

In the county clerk’s office, I will maintain the level of access and service that we are known for. I will continue to monitor pending and newly enacted legislation to ensure our office procedures and operations are up-to-date and statutorily compliant.

As records management officer, I will work with the county manager and Board of Supervisors to find long-term records storage solutions for both paper and digital records, ensuring statutory retention requirements are met while increasing efficiency and accessibility to the county’s records.

In general, I will be a hands-on, accessible county clerk.

I will be active in the day-to-day operations of the office and available to any constituent needing assistance or guidance.