Editor’s note: One in a series of articles on races to be decided in the Nov. 4 general election.

Wagoner County Clerk Carolyn Kusler says she is seeking a second term to continue her efforts in organizing the office and preserving official and historical records.

Her opponent, assistant county jail administrator Tammy Alsip, says she wants to make sure office clients are treated “with a courteous helpful and friendly attitude.”

Kusler, a Republican, faces Alsip, a Democrat, in the Nov. 4 general election. The county clerk is a four-year position with a salary of $56,000 per year.

“I have made exceptional progress in functionally organizing the office and preserving official and historic records,” said Kusler, 66. “I would complete the series of procedure manuals for the various functional areas of responsibility: Land, purchasing and office/board administration), as well as complete the technological improvements I have begun.”

She said the office has an Internet site where people can access records from 1995 to present. She said she wants to make records before 1995 accessible as well.

Alsip, 40, said she also wants to make pre-1995 records accessible over the Internet.

“I will ensure that the county clerk’s Web site is updated on a weekly basis with the current minutes from the county commissioner’s meetings and on a daily basis for land records,” she said.

Alsip said she wants to establish an “open door policy and be available at any time to respond personally to any questions or concerns of the individual, business and organization.”

She said she will ensure the office will have “same-day service” until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Kusler said she spent 29 years in law enforcement before becoming county clerk, 26 of which were spent as a supervisor manager or chief executive officer.

“My work as county clerk the past four years reveals the influence of these past experiences on the work product of the office,” she said.

Alsip said she worked for more than seven years at the Wagoner County Courthouse.

“During that time, I have associated with, assisted or worked with every county office in the building,” she said. “I have first-hand knowledge of the policies, problems and most importantly the people that make our county government work.”