2 treasurer candidates seeking votes at March 25 Republican county assembly

    Phillips County’s March 6 Republican caucus clusters are finished, and now the party is looking ahead to the Republican county assembly Sunday, March 25, at the Phillips County Event Center. The Lincoln Day Dinner will begin at 12:30 p.m., followed by the assembly at 2 p.m.
    At the assembly, precinct delegates (who were selected during the caucus) will vote for the Republican nominees for the June 26 primary election. Candidates for Phillips County treasurer are incumbent Linda Statz and Sharon Michael. Candidates for Phillips County Sheriff are incumbent Thom Elliott and William “J.R.” Myers.
    Candidates receiving at least 30 percent of the votes at the assembly will be put on the primary ballot. If a candidate receives at least 10 percent of the votes, they can still petition to get on the ballot.
    Other candidates who have filed for Phillips County offices are Doug Kamery, assessor; Joe Kinnie, district 1 commissioner; and Beth Zilla, clerk. Coroner and surveyor are also up for election. All offices have four-year terms.
    April 20 is the last day a write-in candidate may file an affidavit for intent for the primary election.

Linda Statz
Current employment: Phillips County treasurer and public trustee.
Work experience: 28 years as county treasurer and public trustee; 25 years as treasurer for the Eastern Division of Colorado County Treasurers Association; board member for Public Trustees Association of Colorado; and secretary for Colorado County Treasurer’s Association.
Education/Training:  Associate degree in business administration; Colorado County Treasurer’s Association certification and continuing education through Colorado Mesa University.
Family: Three grown children and four grandchildren.
    When asked why she’s running for Phillips County treasurer, Linda Statz explained that “every month is different in the treasurer’s office.” As a result, she estimates that it takes about two years to fully train for the job. “I’m just asking for a little more time to train someone,” she added.
    During her time as county treasurer, Statz has been through at least three computer conversions and sees their system become more electronic every year. She pointed out that she really does like the job and is thankful for the support that she’s had throughout the years.
    With a love for learning and a love for math, Statz has, at various times, served as an officer for her square dance and motorcycle clubs, the Phillips County Museum and Historical Society, and Students, Teachers and Parents. “At one time I carried eight checkbooks!” Statz said. “I’ve tried to serve the community in other ways, too,” she added, as a leader in 4-H, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, as well as a volunteer citizenship teacher for Family Education Services. Currently she runs the computer for the Baptist church and enjoys reading and needlework in her free time.

Sharon Michael
Current employment: Accountant at Phillips County Department of Human Services.
Work experience: 12.5 years as accountant at the Phillips County Department of Human Services; five years as Phillips County deputy treasurer; 13 years as an aide in Holyoke School District.
Education/Training: Associate degree from Northeastern Junior College.
Family: Married to LeRoy, with two children, Katie and Scott, and their families, including four grandchildren.
    “To start with, I’m a numbers person,” Sharon Michael said in answer to the question of why she’s running for the position of Phillips County treasurer.
    After 12 years at the Department of Human Services, she said, it’s time for a change, to do something else. With some previous experience in the treasurer’s office, she sees this as a good opportunity to return. The current political climate has given her further motivation to “get involved in the political world.”
    As of March 26, Michael will have lived in Phillips County for 41 years. “I was happy to raise my kids here,” she added. Those things make her committed to the well-being of the county.