RUNNING FOR: TOWN CLERK
Bio: I began my service in the Town of Clay Clerk’s Office in 2007 as a Deputy Town Clerk. In March 2009, I was appointed to fill Vivian Mason’s term as Town Clerk and successfully ran for election that November. Since then, I have been re-elected every two years and remain proud to continue serving the residents of the Town of Clay.
The Town Clerk’s Office serves as the primary information center for local government. The office is responsible for maintaining public records, issuing licenses and permits, processing Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests, and ensuring local laws are properly submitted to the New York State Department of State and General Code for inclusion in the Town Code.
As Town Clerk, I supervise two Deputy Town Clerks and serve as Recording Secretary to the Town Board. My office processes dog licenses, marriage licenses, hunting and fishing licenses, handicapped parking permits, hauler permits, mobile home licenses, and passport applications. I have expanded the services offered by the Town Clerk’s Office by facilitating U.S. passport applications, collaborating with the Onondaga County Clerk’s Office to assist Veterans with Veteran discount identification cards, and becoming a Marriage Officer authorized to perform wedding ceremonies within the Town.
I am a New York State Registered Municipal Clerk, a New York State Notary Public, and a Sub-Registrar for the Town of Clay. To enhance my knowledge and better serve our residents, I regularly attend educational conferences and training programs through the Association of Towns, the New York State Town Clerks Association, the International Institute of Municipal Clerks, and the New York Association of Local Government Records Officers.
I am an active member of the New York State Town Clerks Association and currently serve as President of the Onondaga County Town Clerks Association. I am a member of the International Institute of Municipal Clerks, and the New York Association of Local Government Records Officers.
In addition to my Town Clerk responsibilities, I serve on the Town of Clay Safety Committee, work closely with the Town’s five Fire Departments, administer the Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP), process Workers’ Compensation claims for Town employees and fire department personnel, and serve as Chairperson of the Town Ethics Committee. In that role, I coordinate annual reviews and discussions regarding potential conflicts of interest.
I am grateful to serve the Town of Clay, a community where I have lived most of my life and where I raised my daughter, Dr. Jacqueline Ludwig, who resides in Pittsford, New York with her husband, Adam, and their two children. I am also a parishioner of St. Rose of Lima Church in North Syracuse and volunteer in a variety of capacities and remain actively involved in supporting my parish and the community.
The responsibilities of the Town Clerk’s Office are vast and continually evolving. We face new challenges, including increased responsibilities associated with major development projects, residential growth, and emerging technologies such as battery storage and data centers. I am prepared to meet these challenges just as I have throughout my career.
During my tenure, I have modernized and updated the Town’s filing systems, maintained uninterrupted services during the COVID-19 pandemic, implemented online dog licensing, introduced multi-year dog license renewals for residents’ convenience, and consistently operated the office within budget.
With the knowledge, experience, and dedication I have gained through nearly two decades of service, I am proud to continue serving the residents of the Town of Clay as we navigate future opportunities and challenges together.
I respectfully ask for your support.