Saratoga County is preparing for its third County Clerk in three years.
Almost one year ago, former County Clerk Kathy Marchione left her post to become State Senator of the 43rd district. She’d served as Saratoga County Clerk for 15 years.
In April of 2013, Governor Andrew Cuomo appointed Peter Martin as interim Clerk. But voters in November elected Martin to represent Saratoga Springs on the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors.
On January first, Republican Clerk-elect Craig Hayner, a Halfmoon town board member, will assume his new role.
“The County Clerk’s office has had a reputation of excellent service for many, many years, and I look forward to not only keeping that, but looking for ways to enhance that, and I think Charles and Shauna will be able to do that.”
Hayner has selected two deputy clerks. He asked current Deputy Clerk Charles Foehser, II to retain his position. And he has tapped Saratoga Springs Deputy Mayor Shauna Sutton, who has served three terms under outgoing Mayor Scott Johnson.
Hayner said Sutton stood out among the qualified individuals he interviewed for the position, praising her management experience and background in business.
“When I interviewed her, and interviewed in a second time, I was very impressed by the way she handled herself and her professionalism,” said Hayner.
Sutton challenged Saratoga Springs Supervisor Joanne Yepsen, a Democrat, for the Mayor’s office in November. She was defeated by Yepsen in a close race, receiving roughly 48 percent of the vote.
In a message relayed through her staff, Sutton said that she was “looking forward” to working in her new capacity as Deputy Clerk in the new year.
Hayner said he has toured the office with outgoing Clerk Peter Martin, and said he has no major issues with the services it provides, but will continue to look for ways to keep improving.
"Because there is a high benchmark of excellence in service when you've got three department of motor vehicles, you've got a vital records area, it's really important that you have people in place and you continue to look for ways to train and improve on the things you already have," said Hayner.