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Perry County races see three incumbents challenged

BY CHRISTI MATHIS, FOR THE SOUTHERN

Monday, October 23, 2006 6:55 AM CDT

PERRY COUNTY - Three Perry County incumbents are facing challenges on the November ballot.

The treasurer's race pits Republican challenger Paulette Valier of Pinckneyville against Democratic incumbent Bill Taylor of Du Quoin while the county clerk's battle sees Republican Mary Morgenstern of Pinckneyville taking on incumbent Democrat Kevin Kern of Du Quoin. Two-term incumbent Democratic Sheriff Keith Kellerman of Pinckneyville is facing Pinckneyville's mayor, Republican Joseph Ronald Shirk.

Taylor, 50, emphasizes his experience, knowledge, honesty and dependability and said he has learned the job well since taking office in December 2002. He notes that he was recently chosen Treasurer of the Year by Zone 1 Illinois County Treasurers Association. The Du Quoin High School graduate attended John A. Logan College two years and previously was employed at Chester Mental Health Center, at Burning Star 2 mine, and was co-owner of Sawyer Paint and Wallpaper.

Taylor said in the last four years as treasurer, he's decreased his department's annual budget from $135,000 to $103,000, a 24 percent drop, and he intends to continue operating the office as efficiently as in the past.

He said he's worked with the county budget, tax collection and disbursement, county payroll, bookkeeping, health insurance, worker's compensation and liability insurance and administering the revolving loan program. His goals include working to help the county achieve a balanced budget and hopefully even a surplus budget so in the future they can cease borrowing on tax anticipation warrants. He would also like to like to see that property tax bills are mailed out by June 7 each year.

"While in office, I worked with our auditors and their suggestions making sure the treasurer's office is within the guidelines set by our auditors," Taylor said. "I will continue to show up for work every day, working long hours to serve the Perry County taxpayers."

Valier, 62, is a Pinckneyville High School and Rend Lake College graduate and served two terms on a local school board including five years as chair and has held other positions in relation to the school board and Republican party. She's previously been employed by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, Chester Mental Health Center and Illinois Department of Corrections and as a co-owner of a small business. In addition, she's worked as a certified IHSA volleyball and softball official and has been active as a volunteer 4-H leader.

Valier said she's been active in the party for more than 20 years and as a small business manager is familiar with payrolls, accounts receivable/payable, employee supervision, scheduling work assignments and preparing tax reports for the state. She said during her other employments she's been involved in timekeeping, receipt and dispensing materials and goods valued in excess of $1.5 million, served as an internal/district auditor, and was responsible for audits at six additional correctional facilities.

Valier said her "primary goal as Perry County treasurer is to provide a service that represents accountability, efficiency and integrity. If given the opportunity, all citizens of the county will be treated in a courteous and respectful manner."

She said she wanted to afford voters a choice, noting that when candidates run unopposed voter turnout is typically low. She said competition could stimulate increased participation and that she believes she can fill the office in a "more professional and efficient manner. I feel accountability is a major issue. I believe more attention has to be dedicated to details of day-to-day operation in the county government. I also believe there have been too many instances when individuals have been treated rudely and unprofessionally when conducting business with county officials. I also believe that on too many occasions the personal business of individuals has been unnecessarily advocated to the public. Granted, a good deal of the business that occurs in the county government building is 'public record' but if someone wants to know what business has occurred, let them go and look it up on their own volition. I do not think it should be a priority of any public official to telephone certain people and discuss business that has transpired in their office."

Kern, 33, is a Du Quoin High School graduate and attended the University of Illinois. He touts his experience and the improvements he's made in the office in his four years as county clerk. He said he's worked extensively with the private sector prior to election and feels he is "uniquely qualified to continue leading the county clerk's office."

A former newspaper reporter and editor, Kern also serves on the Illinois State Board of Elections Advisory Board, is president of the Du Quoin Public Library Board, is treasurer of the Du Quoin District 300 Educational Foundation, president-elect of the Southern Illinois Zone 1 County Clerks Association, treasurer-elect of the Illinois Association of County Clerks and Recorders. He also was a 2004 international delegate for the American Council of Young Political Leaders, observing the election processes in Indonesia and Malaysia.

Kern said he's worked in the election process all of his life and has "an excellent understanding of the importance of this function." He said he's also attended numerous meetings, seminars and training sessions regarding all aspects of his office and county government and has seen sweeping changes in state and federal law regarding elections, deed recording and vital records.

"I am very familiar with these issues and in many cases have been a leading voice on how to successfully implement the many changes required of county clerks recently," he said.

Kern said his basic goal is to continue "providing superb customer service to the people of Perry County while successfully implementing new programs. These are always done with an eye toward savings, efficiency and innovation for the people we serve."

He noted that implementation of early voting and use of touch-screen voting machines have recently come about in the county and said there will be "great challenges in the implementation of the federal Real ID Act, which will standardize the issuance of vital records across the United States. These issues must be addressed in a way that best serves the taxpayers and adds convenience to the citizens who utilize the office."

Kern said the election comes down to experience and that he is quite proud of what his office has accomplished in his four-year tenure.

"We have created a county Internet site to provide a wealth of information to citizens, established better communications with the public, revolutionized our elections process, pushed for many changes that improve the county's management and professionalism and taken steps to protect and preserve the wealth of historical treasures in the office. I feel that my experience is superb and everyone in Perry County knows that I am very dedicated to my job."

Morgenstern, 51, said she has 25 years experience in bookkeeping and office management, making her well-qualified to become county clerk. She said she's seeking office to give voters a choice in this election. A graduate of Benton Consolidated High School and Rend Lake College, Morgenstern has resided in Perry County for 28 years.

"My goal is to conduct your business honestly, efficiently and discreetly," Morgenstern said.

Kellerman, 43, is completing his eighth year as sheriff and said he would like to continue the work he's already begun.

"I believe that the Perry County Sheriff's Office is on the right path," Kellerman said. "I would like to see this positive form of government continue. The sheriff's office should be and is an office our citizens are proud of. This office has the largest budget within the county government, but I am financially responsible and with the programs that are in place, nearly one million dollars a year in revenue is generated by the Perry County Sheriff's Office."

Kellerman said he believes the issues in the election are simple: "experience and knowledge. I believe a person should have these qualifications, especially with the ever-changing federal and state laws. A sheriff has to deal with many complicated issues on a daily basis from corrections, patrol, dispatch (communications) and investigations, rules and laws that pertain to federal and state inmates, drug cases and criminal investigations. Decisions have to be made by the sheriff. Knowledge and experience are needed to make the best decision possible given the situation at hand."

Kellerman served four years in the United States Navy and has worked at the sheriff's department since 1992 holding the positions of correctional officer, deputy sheriff, sergeant, investigator and drug task force member along with eight years as sheriff. He's a member of the Illinois Sheriffs' Association committees for labor relations, site and legislation.

Kellerman was class president at Corrections Academy, was fourth in his class as a Police Academy graduate and has graduated from sheriff's management institute. A graduate of Pinckneyville High School and Rend Lake College with an associate degree in criminal justice, Kellerman continued his studies at Temple University. He said his education and extensive law enforcement experience give him the broad base he needs to lead the sheriff's office.

Shirk is currently completing his first four-year term as Pinckneyville mayor. No additional information is available as he declined to be interviewed.

 

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