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PARKERSBURG -- Candidates with a variety of experiences are running for Wood County Clerk.
Five Republicans and two Democrats are vying to replace Democrat Mark Rhodes, who is retiring this year.
The County Clerk's office keeps permanent records of most legal documents that affect Wood County residents. The staff of deputy clerks record marriages, births, deaths, deeds, wills and much more.
The Clerk also oversees elections.
In the Republican primary are Amanda Raber-Ables, Eddie Staats, Mickey Hess, Misty Kelly and Joe Gonzales. In the Democratic primary are J.R. Carpenter and Cara Atkinson.
Party nominees will run in the November general election.
Republican Michael Harper announced April 15 he was stepping down from the race due to work commitments. As he did not withdraw in time to have his name removed from the ballot and his name will still appear on the ballot. In the event he would win, he said he would continue with his campaign to the general election in November.
Raber-Ables, 41, works in the Wood County Sheriff's Tax Office. This is her first time running for office.
She was born and raised in Parkersburg and has 20 years of experience as a title abstractor. She also collects vintage 80's toys.
Raber-Ables has two years experience as a tax deputy specializing in tax sales and delinquent lands. She has knowledge of title searches, taxes, county finances, recordings, assessments, land records and more.
"I want to use my knowledge to better the county," she said.
Staats has a bachelor's in business administration and management from West Virginia University. He has worked to create jobs and opportunities within Wood County through the various businesses he owns and operates.
"I understand the importance of balancing a checkbook," he said. "Like many Wood County families, I understand that we need a county clerk with a fiduciary responsibility to their constituents."
Election integrity is important and ensuring newly turned 18-year-olds have the resources necessary to vote is a key pillar in his plans.
"We need to ensure that the County Clerk's office is clear and transparent in order to prevent late-night backroom vote counting," he said.
He wants to implement a first-of-its-kind online system to pay fees, request urgent documents, and get access to the county clerk's services.
"I will fight for election integrity and transparency as the true conservative in this race," he said.
Hess, 21, is an accounts representative and personal banker. He is a 2019 graduate of Parkersburg South High School.
"Wood County needs a professional, experienced and determined county clerk with the upcoming retirement of Mark Rhodes," he said. "I'm running to continue the great work he has done, and to also ensure that: our elections are safe and secure; that operations at the clerk's office are transparent and fiscally responsible; and that all records are securely kept and are easily accessible."
He also wants to use his age and modern techniques to reach and encourage younger generations to register to vote and work the polls.
Kelly, 45, has a bachelor's in software engineering and an associate's in web application programming.
She is running because she knows how crucial the position is for records maintenance and for the individuals who live here.
"I am also very passionate about the election duties of the county clerk," she said. "The county clerk is who oversees our elections with the support of county employees and the public.
"Wood County is challenged every election cycle with getting enough people to work the polls. I want to work to improve this by setting up programs that attract our young voters and encourage them to learn the importance of the electoral process. By educating more people on the laws and proper processes of our elections, we are protecting the integrity of our elections well into the future."
Gonzales, 62, is a lifelong resident of Parkersburg where he resides with his wife of 30 years, Amy. He has a bachelor's from Glenville State College, attended the State Police Academy and served at the Parkersburg Police Department for 25 years. He also had FBI training.
After retiring from the Parkersburg Police Department, he worked at the Wood County Sheriff's Office as the director of intelligence. He has also been a West Virginia licensed real estate agent for 15 years, managed a local oil and gas land division and is the CEO of a company in Wood County.
He is running for county clerk because it is an important role within the government and a position that has always interested him.
"I feel that I would be able to uphold the integrity of the clerk and would work hard to keep the office running smoothly and professionally, as it has in years past," he said. "I would like to continue indexing and back scanning documents for online use, as well as produce new ideas for the future of the office.
"I promise to work hard for the great citizens of Wood County."
Atkinson, 56, grew up in Wood County and is a 1983 graduate of Parkersburg High School and a 1985 graduate of West Virginia University at Parkersburg. She and her husband have a small farm where they raise horses.
She has 25 years of experience working in the county clerk's office, holding various positions and recently moved to the county assessor's office.
"I know the intricate workings of this office," she said. "I want to see this office continue to be as efficient and user-friendly as it has always been while implementing improvements and upgrades as they become available.
"I recognize that this office has varied responsibilities and I want to make sure that all of these responsibilities are met to the letter of the law. I will be ready for this job on day one."
Carpenter, 60, has been the co-owner/operator of the Crystal Cafe for 19 years. He is a graduate of Marshall University. He previously worked in the transportation industry as a dispatcher, sales, operations manager, terminal manager, district manager, and systems analyst. His duties included all Human Resource functions, labor relations/negotiations, evaluations, promotions, customer service and accountability for our performance. Currently, he is in his third term as a Parkersburg city councilman representing District 5.
"I believe all elected officials work for each and every person in the city/county/state," he said. "This job requires integrity and transparency each and every day.
"Proper application of procedures and laws, records retention, accountability for our tax dollars, titles/deeds, budgeting, and probate is a requirement."
He has asked to shadow Rhodes, if elected, to ensure a totally seamless transfer and allow him to evaluate daily processes prior to Jan 1.
"This position requires the use of my cumulative skills and experience to serve the county, not just the city," he said. "I want to be held accountable and serve our county."
Brett Dunlap can be reached at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com