Jimmy Carter was president when Cowley County Commissioner Carmelita Clarkson went to work in the county clerk’s office in 1980.
Four presidents later, Clarkson will participate in her last county commission meeting Tuesday morning. Alan Groom defeated Clarkson in her bid for a second four-year term on the commission. He will take his seat at the commission table Jan. 12.
"The best part of my years of service was working with the citizens and other employees," Clarkson said. "I do not have any regrets."
Marilyn Johnson was chair of the commission when Clarkson went to work in the clerk’s office. Johnson was the first female commissioner in Cowley County and was appointed to fill her husband’s unexpired term following his death. Scott Reiter and Marvin Hatfield were the other board members.
"I have worked with many different county commissioners in many years," Clarkson said.
She was deputy county clerk under Joe Gaston when he decided in 1998 to retire before his term was up. Clarkson was picked by the county Democratic party to replace Gaston and was then appointed clerk by Gov. Bill Graves.
"In Cowley County, the county clerk serves as the county election officer," Clarkson said. "I was then elected to a four year term as clerk. Then, after that term, I ran and was elected county commissioner."
Clarkson hasn’t been?embarrassed to?poke and prod voters to the polls on election days. The election process is "our right", she’s quick to emphasize, and every vote does count, she firmly believes.
"The voters need to think when they go to vote – and make sure they vote for the people at will serve them best. The election process is our right, to elect the people to serve us," she said. "I hope the taxpayers will get involved and know what is going on in the commission and the offices that they have elected to serve them."
Clarkson still has reservations whether a county administrator is needed. "We need a person that has the best interest for the county," she said.
"The county commission needs to be responsible for all the decisions that are made," Clarkson said.
It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as both county clerk and commissioner, she said. Her goal has always been to do what is best for Cowley County.
"Having the support of the people I serve has been very gratifying to me, Clarkson said. "I do not have any reason to apologize for any thing in my many years of public service, and wish nothing but the best for the citizens of Cowley County in the future."
