About 25 people turned out Tuesday night for a candidate forum hosted by Common Sense Citizens of Washington County. The evening featured three candidates vying for the post of Washington County Clerk. Candidates included Braedy Helmbrecht, Ashley Reichert, and Aggie Pruner.
Candidate bios:
Aggie Pruner (AP) – 16 years experience as current Town Clerk for the Town of Barton. Experience as town clerk makes me credible candidate.
Ashley Reichert (AR) – mother of 3 and married six years. Husband is a veteran and they are supporters of Stars & Stripes Honor Flight. Work for county for 3 years and one year for Sheriff’s office. Started social media 6 months ago. Work with county administrator and other County Board Supervisors. I’d be a strong candidate for County Clerk.
Braedy Helmbrecht (BH) – Worked with the county for 18 years. Detail oriented. Believe in raising a family and family values and like to work with the community
What would you do as County Clerk outside of election responsibilities?
AR – Make sure everything runs efficiently and field questions. Excited to explain role of County Clerk.
BH – In charge of training other clerks, licenses and passports and keep up with new technology.
AP – Keep track of staff and make sure they’re efficient and keep up with state rules. Setting the budget and keeping costs as low as possible.
How receptive are you to change, particularly if the time of County Board meetings are shifted to night meetings?
BH – This is a salaried position and you work a flexible schedule.
AP – I work for the town board and that meets at night. The clerk is not the policy setter. We have to adapt.
AR – I like how we are willing to work with people who have 9-5 jobs. The more opportunities you give people to attend then maybe we’ll get to receive more input. We need to adapt to change.
What changes would you recommend the new County Clerk put in place?
AR –When turnover is quick we don’t need to keep producing paper packets and booklets and directories.
BH – New technology will be more efficient. IDs checks and balances. Fewer man hours. More efficient and smaller govt.
AP- Work well with outgoing clerk. Getting to know the job first hand before implementing changes.
Any concern about running a big-scale election. How will you prepare?
AP – The background I have with the Town of Barton and I have kept up with federal changes. Utilization to train with our County Clerk is a great tool. Have the strength to take on the position and have proven myself
BH – Happy to train and work with County Clerk Brenda Jaszewski for months before moving into the post. Getting feet wet with presidential elections will be a great experience.
AR – Getting to work with Brenda will be key and I’ve watched videos on Government Accountability Board website.
 How would you work with different people and personalities?
AP – Keep in close touch with local poll workers. We need to work with lawmakers. Good communication is key.
AR – Positive leadership is critical and positive attitude
BH – I’ve been working with people for 18 years.
 In a few statements talk about philosophy for office.
BH – Smooth and efficient transition. Working with others is key.
AP – Continue same excellent level of service to community
AR – Transparency and working with everyone on same page and continued leadership. Positive relationship with public. Continue new innovative ideas.
Why are you running as a Republican
AR – Family values and conservative thinking.
AP – Family first. Republican Party embodies that. Conservative and Republican.
BH – Growing up with Republican father. Being responsible to community
County Clerk is a partisan job
BH – Many decisions are made by the County Board.
AP – The County Board is the lawmaking body and the County Clerk is a constitutional office. Not a difficult transition. Emphasize my integrity
AR – Conservative values and County Board makes decisions and policy. Conservative values don’t affect day-to-day operations.
What’s your supervisory experience?
AP – I train and have supervisory roles and had three departments under me with 15 people I managed.
BH – I’m middle management at county and I have to accept responsibility and I have to be the person who makes sure things are done correctly.
AR – I supervised 10 -15 people when I worked in a retail position and as administrative secretary to the Sheriff I oversee accounts with social media and make sure other departments are following guidelines and help advance pages.
How do u deal with conflict?
AR – Talk things out and keep communication open.
AP – Find where conflict stems from and talk directly to people and make sure everyone on the same page.
BH – We have to work together
Personal feelings if County Board gets heated.
AR – Be open to what everyone is saying. Don’t be involved with conflict
AP – Do job we were elected to do. Put forth a professional demeanor. Common goal is to serve Washington County
BH – We all have a job to do.
If elected officials can’t be poll workers how do you pull others together.
BH – Will have to get others to step up. Believe you’re doing it with CSC. Talk to friends and family.
AP – Chief inspectors are hard to train and it would be smart to work with GAB to see true interpretation. Encourage media to get involved. It’s a paid position that’s very rewarding
AR – County Clerk should work with town and city to fill the roles. Educating the public and teach about election process and going to schools and talking to classes.
Final comment
Aggie Pruner – Thanks for the opportunity. Given my experience I have integrity and am a trusted member of Town Board. I have a couple jobs and realize long hours.
Ashley Reichert – Build off of positive reforms and bring new ideas and create a great work place and improve relationship with Washington County.
Braedy Helmbrecht – My experience working in government in the attorney’s office. I’m the hometown boy who wants to be in this position for the community.
The Partisan Primary Election is Tuesday, August 9.