The race for the Republican Party’s nomination for Jefferson County Clerk in the Aug. 7 primary election features a pair of familiar adversaries.
Jeremy A. Day of Imperial is running against Ken Waller, who is the current county executive but announced last year that he would not seek a third four-year term. Waller earlier this year filed for the county clerk’s spot. He also was the county’s treasurer from 2005-2008.
Day, a sharp critic of Waller, was an organizer of a petition drive to recall Waller last summer, which fell far short of the required number of signatures, although Day still termed it as successful because it brought some issues to light.
Four years ago, Day fell short by almost 2,500 votes for the county clerk’s job in the general election as Democrat Wes Wagner won a third four-year term.
However, Wagner resigned in February 2017 to take another job and Waller, who under the charter was obligated to choose another Democrat, appointed former county assessor Randy Holman to fill out the rest of Wagner’s term.
Holman is running unopposed in the Democratic primary and will face either Waller or Day in the November general election.
The county clerk is paid $81,149 a year.
WALLER, 56, lives at 202 Santschi Circle, Herculaneum. He and his wife, Trina, have three children. He received an associates degree in business administration from Jefferson College in 1982 and a bachelor’s degree in public administration from the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 1985. He has been on the Jefferson-Franklin Community Action Corp. board since 2012, the East-West Gateway Council of Governments board since 2011 (and was its vice chairman in 2015 and chairman in 2016), the Community Mental Health Fund board since 2013, Jefferson-Franklin Consortium Office of Job Training Programs since 2011 and the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation board since 2011.
Social Media: Facebook: Ken Waller County Clerk
DAY, 41, lives at 3864 Country Club Drive, Imperial. He and his wife, Julie, have two children. He has worked for GE Appliances since 2007. A 1995 graduate of Eureka High School, he served in the U.S. Navy from 1995-2000. He has been a post services officer for American Legion Post 283 since 2015. He is a member of the Festus-Crystal City Tanglefoot Historical Society and the Big River Friends of the NRA and also has been a member of the Jefferson County Republican Club since 2014. He also was the campaign manager for Jason Jarvis for state representative in 2016 and assisted Mark Paul in his bid for treasurer in 2016.
Social media: Website: www.jeremyforjeffcoclerk.com Facebook: Jeremy Day For Jefferson County Clerk
What are the county clerk’s duties? Why are you qualified to carry them out?
Waller: County clerks have many duties. They oversee the accounts payable department for the entire county and are the custodian of all county records. They receive all bids for county services and distribute all notary commissions. They issue liquor licenses annually. The most recognizable duty is they are the chief election authority and responsible for the conduct of all elections. This includes training and recruiting more than 1,000 election judges to work the polls. My eight years as county executive and four years as county treasurer have equipped me with the knowledge to run this office effectively.
Day: The County Clerk has two primary jobs. First, the office is the chief election official. It is responsible for conducting, maintaining and improving our election process. Secondly, the administrative side records all matters of county business, documentation, collection of waste and liquor license fees, posting of bids for services and recording council meetings and board meetings. I’m the best qualified because I have been involved in improving government since 2014. I’m not a career politician and I don’t sue the taxpayers for a raise, back pay and additional pension benefits.
What would you do to improve public access to data controlled by your office?
Waller: Increase the information to the public online but in a very secure manner. Create a public portal that would be able to allow residents to see how their tax money is being spent in the office. Work with other officeholders to ensure that the approved county budgets are posted online.
Day: To improve public access to data, or “let taxpayers see the checkbook,” I would work with the auditor and treasurer to develop a system that allows easy access to display information that’s easily interpreted by residents. This includes all departments within the county government. I will also work to allow all non-confidential documents to be displayed on the clerk’s website as well as fulfill Sunshine Law requests in a timely manner. This is the people’s government and it’s time we step up with 2018 solutions.
What would you do to improve customer service?
Waller: Make the office more versatile by helping to empower employees to serve all the needs of residents. Create helpful apps to conduct business concerning the office. This could help with voter registration and Election Day information. It could also include sample ballots at polling locations. Accepting credit card payments for services rendered in the office. Work with legislators on “no-excuse absentee voting legislation” to increase voter participation in all elections.
Day: For better customer service, we need to once again move into 2018 solutions. First, we need to streamline and be able to process business, liquor and solid waste licensing fees online. It should be a one-stop shop, just like renewing your vehicle license and tags. We need to limit the amount of time taxpayers have to spend in the Administration Center. Then we need an effort to recruit more poll workers and polling judges. Without those special people, voting lines get longer and more time consuming. The office needs a breath of fresh air.
Why should voters elect you to this position? List your goals, if elected.
Waller: My 12 years in county government gives me a unique perspective. As county executive for eight years, I have worked with the county clerk’s office almost daily and understand its many functions. My goals would be:
■ Make it easier for veterans and the elderly and disabled to vote.
■ Lobby for “no-excuse absentee voting legislation” to increase voter turnout.
■ Involve young people in the election process, especially college students.
I will not advocate for cameras at polling places, like my opponent wants. Protecting the integrity of the voting process and ensuring your privacy is key.
Day: Voters should elect a person who wants to do the job of clerk, not just occupy the office waiting for better opportunities. I want to develop a system of election auditing. This ensures the counts are accurate and true before the ballots even reach the clerk’s office. Cameras should also be in the clerk’s office monitoring the vote count on Election Day and allowing online access to residents. I don’t have a record of suing the taxpayers or having questionable hiring decisions. It’s time for a new day.