Friday, April 19th, 2013
Longtime elections board director retiring
By Amy Kronenberger
WAPAKONETA - A longtime director in Auglaize County will retire this summer so she can slow down and travel more.
Board of elections director Carolyn Campbell will step down Aug. 1 after seven years at the helm. Prior to her role as director, Campbell worked 33 years for Marathon Oil.
"It just sounded like a good time (to retire) as far as the office goes," Campbell said.
Leaving in the summer will give the new director time to adjust to the job before the November election, she said. The person also will have a year before facing a federal election.
"Plus, my birthday is in July, so it's good timing," she added.
Campbell, a Democrat, said she knew after November she didn't want to deal with the stress of another federal election.
"The job is very stressful, and the political overtones of the last election, I don't want to deal with that again," she said.
The busiest times of the year for the elections staff are the spring and fall; that also happens to be the best time to vacation, Campbell said. As director, she was never able to take the trips she wanted, she added. The first item on her retirement list is to travel with her family.
Board chairperson Fran Engle said they will accept applications until May 13 and then begin interviews.
"We hope to get someone in right away so they can train with Carolyn before she leaves," Engle said. "But we have to look at the budget before we can decide exactly when they can start."
Anyone interested in applying for the position may download an application from the county website at www.auglaizecounty.org. Job requirements include a high school diploma or GED. A candidate also must live in Auglaize County and be a registered Democrat.
Engle said state law requires a balanced representation of both parties within the board of elections. Because deputy director Peggy Matheny is a Republican, the board must hire a Democrat. If board members chose to give the director position to Matheny, they would still have to hire a Democrat for the deputy position.
"In Auglaize County, that really limits the pool," Campbell said.
Engle said they would prefer someone with college experience.
"She's been here seven years and she's done a fantastic job," Engle said of Campbell. "We hope we can find someone who can ease into the job as easily as she did."
