By Rex Hogan
Published on July 24, 2008

In less than a week, Canadian County voters will know the identity of the new county clerk.

Barbara Haley of El Reno and Shelley Dickerson of Yukon are both seeking the job. Both are Republicans. Republican voters will cast ballots in the July 29 primary to determine the winner.

The race is one of two county elections in which there is no Democrat. The other race is for Canadian County sheriff.

Dickerson is a 26-year employee of the county clerk’s office.

Haley has 25 years experience as a legal assistant and works for Bass Law Firm in El Reno.

Phyllis Blair, the current county clerk, is retiring after 28 years service with county government. She was first appointed to the clerk’s position in 1980.
Blair is staying neutral in the campaign.

“Either one of them will make a good county clerk,” she said.

Haley said if she wins the race, she’ll try to make more county records available through the Internet.

“I’d love to see more records on line if the money is available. There could be some grants available that could help with that project.

“I know it will be helpful to a lot of people and would be in the best interest of the county,” she said.

Dickerson said she decided to enter her first political race because of her experience in the office.

“I have worked at the county clerk’s office for 26 years. A lot of my life and time has been invested there.

“I’ve enjoyed learning about county government and this is an opportunity to serve in a bigger way and use my skills and ability,” she said.

Haley said she’s worked with various county boards such as the Equalization Board, the Tax Correction Board and the County Excise Board.

Both Haley and Dickerson said campaigning for the four-year term has been a unique experience.

“I was asked to run, and I don’t know of a better way to serve the county. It’s given me a wonderful opportunity to meet a lot of people,” Haley said.

Dickerson, who lived in El Reno for 16 years before moving to Yukon, said the campaign experience has been positive for her.

“We spend so much of our time at work, and this has given me a new focus to get out and meet people and find out what their needs are,” she said.