Two seek Murray town clerk post

Town of Murray voters will have to choose between the town clerk and the deputy town clerk when they go to the polls on November 8. Both women are seeking the town clerk post.

Cynthia Oliver, deputy town clerk, has received the Republican Party nod while long-time town clerk Jennifer Piedmonte has received the backing of the Democratic Party.

Cynthia Oliver has served as the deputy town clerk for the past three years, assisting in the daily operations of the office. "I've also filled in for the town clerk during extended absences," she said.

Oliver has attended the NYS Town Clerk's Association continuing education courses for professional development. "I will participate in conferences to provide the residents with the best service possible," she said, adding that she feels the town clerk's office should provide a Notary Public service for the residents. "This is a service I plan on providing, if elected."

Oliver said she has customer service experience, having previously worked in that field while at Dime Savings Bank and because she's worked for the past eight years as the court clerk in the Town of Murray.

The record keeping system in the town is very outdated, Oliver said. "I want to introduce software that is designed specifically for town clerks," she said. "This will greatly improve efficiency. If elected, I will have Saturday morning hours which will make it more convenient for residents who may not be able to get to the office during the week."

Oliver sees room for improvement in the day-to-day operations in the office procedures.

"I've been performing all aspects of the job for the past three years and know I can make positive contributions," she said. "I truly enjoy getting to know and helping the people that come into the office or call needing assistance or guidance."

Oliver and her husband, Keith, have two daughters.

"The town clerk's office is a direct link between residents and their local government," Oliver said. "The residents of Murray deserve dependability and a high level of service that I know I can provide."

Jennifer Piedmonte has served the Town of Murray residents for the past 22 years in the role of town clerk.

She said the office of town clerk has evolved to the point where it needs someone with experience to keep up with the rules and regulations that are handed down from the state and federal agencies to the town government level.

"When I started here, we had one water district and I was able to type the bills by hand; now we are up to 11 water districts and the job has grown more complex with each year," she said. "I think the experience I have in my role of serving the town is what the residents continue to need."

Piedmonte said that during her time in the office she has formed friendships with the residents. "I've been in office long enough to have seen marriages, births and deaths of residents in the town," she said. "I have always been a people person and I've become friends with many of the residents."

When she started in 1984 she was basically responsible for dog licenses, marriage licenses and the one water district. She also serves as the town tax collector.

Piedmonte said for 11 years she offered Saturday hours for residents but has since switched the hours to offering late Thursday hours for the convenience of the taxpayers.

"I think that the Thursdays work out best for the residents - that's what I've heard from the residents," she said.

One of the things for which she is most proud is the fact that millions of dollars have gone through the office and she has always balanced her books to the penny.

She and her husband, David (Mr. Garlic), have lived in the town for more than 42 years and have one son, one daughter and two grandsons.

"I have served the town well for 22 years, have never had any complaints from any of the residents and I think I can continue to provide good service and make a difference in the town clerk's office," she said.

October 30, 2005