Mills River Town Clerk Susan L. Powell is the 2019 Clerk of the Year, as chosen by the North Carolina Association of Municipal Clerks.
Before a crowded room of over 150 friends, colleagues, elected officials, and clerks from across North Carolina, President of the Clerk’s Association Leighanna Worley announced Susan L. Powell the 2019 Municipal Clerk of the Year at the Yadkin Valley Event Center in Wilksboro, North Carolina.
Mills River Mayor Chae Davis had the following to say about Powell, “As the Town’s first employee in 2003, Sue has had to wear several hats, from human resources, planning, and zoning, to accounting, tax collector, finance and clerk; she is an enduring presence for the Town and always works in the best interest of the community.”
Former Town Manager Jeff Wells, who served the Town until 2019, said, “Sue is the institutional backbone of Mills River. Her advice helped me make better decisions in the interests of Mills River. I was fortunate to work with her for four and half years.”
To be eligible for the award clerks must demonstrate commitment to professional development and community involvement, extraordinary job performance, bring innovative ideas to the Association, and be an active member in the municipal, state, and national associations.
Transylvania County Manager Jaime Laughter who served as Mills River’s Manager until 2014 stated, “I was fortunate to work with Sue for eight years and it taught me the tremendous value our clerks bring to the table as dedicated public servants who work tirelessly to lend order, structure and legacy to the often chaotic political process.’’
Upon receiving the award Powell said to the crowd, “Thank you to everyone. There is no way I could have made any of my contributions to this community or my town without the support of every one of them and every one of you, and I believe we all deserve this.”
Speaking on behalf of Mills River, Tax Collector Aurelie Taylor stated, “In the 11 years I have worked with Sue, she has done her job with style and grace, sometimes under difficult circumstances, and nobody in this room deserves this award more than you do, Sue.”