Office veteran, outsider seek Carroll County circuit clerk post

MOUNT CARROLL – Carroll County voters will decide next week whether they want a circuit clerk with experience, or someone new to the field.

Patty Hiher has been deputy clerk since 1987. She said the experience she has gained qualifies her to be elected to replace Sherri Miller, who is not seeking another 4-year term.

Carol Remrey, on the other hand, would be new to the position. She is making her first run for elected office.

Hiher and Remrey are Republicans. There is no Democrat on the primary ballot.

“I am running first and foremost because I believe I can do this job as circuit clerk,” Remrey said in a response to a questionnaire for the Sauk Valley Media website. She declined to be interviewed for this story.

“I would take this elected position very seriously and be a full-time circuit clerk for the people of Carroll County. I would be trustworthy, accountable, and dependable to the people of Carroll County.”

Remrey has donated her time to help food pantries, Boy Scouts, Special Olympics, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and disaster relief and clean-up with the Red Cross and crisis centers.

“My past work-related experiences have mostly been in the private sector, and they range from running a shipping and receiving department, performing office clerical duties, owning and operating a business, and being part of a professional sales staff with a car dealership,” Remrey said. “I have run a business and currently own a business with my husband, so I understand how important it is to maintain a budget and work within our means.”

One disadvantage Remrey could face is not having a working relationship with courthouse staff.

“I do look forward to building a mutually trusting and respectful relationship with all who work there,” she said.

On the flip side, Hiher said she would be able to hit the ground running, if elected.

“My experience as a deputy clerk will make for an easier transition come December 1, so I won’t need training,” she said. “There are no disadvantages for me being the next circuit clerk.”

Hiher said being circuit clerk is something she has always wanted to do.

“I love what I do, and I am good at what I do,” she said. “I can say there is nothing in that office I can’t do.”

Hiher said she would focus on getting all staff members cross-trained to be able to do the work for someone who is on vacation or out of the office.

She also wants to open the office over the noon hour, when most residents are on their lunch break.

Hiher believes the nearly 3 decades spent in the office is an advantage in Tuesday’s primary.

“I have a lot of good, solid relationships with judges, attorneys and other co-workers,” she said. “I’ve started out working with people who have retired, and I’m not ready to do that.”

MEET THE CANDIDATES

Patricia Hiher

Party: Republican

Home: Mount Carroll

Career: Deputy circuit clerk, Carroll County

Family: Divorced; children, Jarad Carroll, 36, and Steven Carroll, 34

Carol Remrey

Party: Republican

Home: Mount Carroll

Education: Savanna High School

Career: Co-owner, BSD Printing in Mount Carroll; sales professional at J.C. Carey Motors in Savanna.

Family: She and her husband, Randy, have one child, Shawn