The race for Butler County Clerk is the only contested election on the ballot Tuesday, Aug. 2. There are three candidates seeking the position: Donna Hillis, Kyle Aubuchon and Kim Mizell.
Age: 54
Spouse: Danny Hillis
Children: Holly Fowler, 30; son-in-law Jordan Fowler; and grandchildren Peyton, 5, and Grayson, 19 months.
Occupation: office manager at the Butler County Highway Department, E911 addressing coordinator, flood plain administrator for Butler County.
Education: Neelyville High School graduate, Three Rivers College associate’s degree with an emphasis in accounting, Bachelor’s degree from Central Methodist University, and obtained credit hours toward a master’s degree in social work at Missouri State University.
Current Affiliations: N/A
Why are you running for this position?
I have over 35 years of experience in municipal budget administration and have worked alongside the county clerk’s office as well as the commission for over 27 years. I have developed important resources over the years which will prove to be an asset to both the commission and the county clerk’s office. It would be an honor to be advanced into this position, as running for election is the only way to be promoted as a county employee.
What characteristics would make you a good county clerk?
Over the years, I have proven to be both a leader and a teammate. Along with impeccable oral and written communication skills, I am well organized, dependable, and possess a strong work ethic. I have a 36-year career in accounting and municipal budget administration.
What do you hope to accomplish?
I believe with my years of experience and education I will be more than capable of helping create and maintain a responsible and sustainable budget while being able to account for all money expended from and received into various county funds. One of the most important duties of the county clerk’s office is to serve as the election authority for all local, state, and federal elections. My vision as county clerk is to continue offering safe, dependable and verifiable elections while receiving rigorous training in the election process. I will serve the citizens of Butler County with honor and integrity.
Are there any needs you want to address? N/A
Are there any recent actions you agree or disagree with? N/A
What do you see as the biggest challenges facing the county and how would you address them?
With today’s economy, the biggest challenge facing the county will always be how to address budget issues. Rising health care costs and fuel prices are just a small part of the challenges we face daily. I am confident I can work with the Butler County Commission and together we can create a budget that will allow our county to grow as well as meet the needs of our community.
Age: 34
Spouse: Ashley (Maples) Aubuchon
Children: Dorothy Diane Aubuchon, 14 months
Occupation: senior advisor to Gov. Mike Parson
Education: Graduated from Missouri State University in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Current Affiliations: Sacred Heart Catholic Church, The MASTERS (Missouri Association of State Troopers Emergency Relief Society), supporter of the Poplar Bluff Mules Booster Club
Why are you running for this position?
Running for county clerk is an opportunity to share my experiences, knowledge and background in helping the Butler Countians I am proud to call neighbors and friends. This is my home and I want to give back to our community by serving as county clerk.
What characteristics would make you a good county clerk?
With my work experience in state and federal government, I will strive to bring new opportunities and resources to the county as we work together in keeping Butler County a great place to own or start a new business, work, live, and raise your family.
What do you hope to accomplish?
I look forward to assisting the county commission in advancing economic development, improving our county roads and bridges, delivering a responsible budget, protecting county taxpayers, and administering smooth and fair elections.
Are there any needs you want to address?
My goal is to help the county be more responsive to its citizens, and use my relationships and networking to explore new opportunities and resources for our community.
Are there any recent actions you agree or disagree with?
I’m proud of our citizens’ continued support for our law enforcement officers and first responders, and I will fight to ensure public safety is one of Butler County’s top priorities.
What do you see as the biggest challenges facing the county and how would you address them?
I am excited about the opportunity to join our county’s leadership team. As county clerk, I will work with our commissioners, business and community leaders, with citizen input, to ensure that Butler County makes wise long-term investments in our community. We must continue to focus on our county roads and bridges. I will support our school districts and Three Rivers College, which are developing the workforce for today and tomorrow. Attracting new businesses, while supporting and retaining our current employers who already make significant contributions to our community, is also very important.
Age: 35
Spouse: Terry Mizell Jr.
Children: Kyra, age 15; Ashlynn, age 13
Occupation: I am currently a deputy clerk in the Recorder of Deeds office at Butler County Courthouse.
Education: high school diploma, some college education.
Current affiliations: N/A
Why are you running for this position?
I can keep this county moving forward. I am running for county clerk because I’ve lived here all my life. As a homeowner and parent, I want to keep this town a great place to raise a family. I have the experience with land descriptions and easements as well as helping with monthly reports in my current office and am familiar with what other offices and the commissioners do. I believe voting is very important and more young adults and adults alike should get out and vote more and I want to do what I can to make that happen.
What characteristics would make you a good county clerk?
The qualities that would make me a good county clerk would be I am young, energetic, a quick learner, a problem solver and familiar from my time as a title searcher in a previous job of doing property title searches and dealing with ownership issues, legal descriptions, as well as easements. And (I) am a current voter and believe in the importance of voting.
What do you hope to accomplish?
I would really like to get the voting systems up to date and work on keeping the county’s budget on track by working alongside the commissioners.
Are there any needs you want to address?
I would also like to work with other counties to honor our ATV/UTV permit when visiting outside of our county. We currently recognize multiple counties’ stickers when they come here to ride and enjoy the outdoors. I would like to see it be a little easier for us to be able to do the same in other counties.
Are there any recent actions you agree or disagree with?
No, I think Tonya has done a wonderful job.
What do you see as the biggest challenges facing the district and how would you address them?
Budgeting is always a priority but also working to keep the voting system clean and accurate and getting involved with making sure the registration records stay up to date as much as possible along with having smooth elections.
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