Mills River's Sue Powell honored as NC Clerk of the Year

Mills River Town Clerk Susan L. Powell was recently honored as the 2019 Clerk of the Year by the N.C. Association of Municipal Clerks.

Leighanna Worley, president of the Clerk’s Association, announced the honor on Saturday at the Yadkin Valley Event Center in Wilksboro before a crowded room of over 150 friends, colleagues, elected officials and clerks from across North Carolina.

“As the town’s first employee in 2003, Sue has had to wear several hats, from human resources, planning and zoning to accounting, tax collector, finance and clerk; she is an enduring presence for theTown and always works in the best interest of the community,” Mills River Mayor Chae Davis said. 

To be eligible for the award, clerks must demonstrate commitment to professional development and community involvement, extraordinary job performance, bring innovativeideas to the Association, and be an active member in the municipal, state and national associations, according to a news release from the town.

“Sue is the institutional backbone of Mills River. Her advice helped me make better decisions in the interests of Mills River. I was fortunate to work with her for four and half years,” stated former Town Manager Jeff Wells, who served the town until this year.

“I was fortunate to work with Sue for eight years and it taught me the tremendous value our clerks bring to the table as dedicated public servants who work tirelessly to lend order, structure and legacy to the often chaotic political process,’’ said Transylvania County Manager Jaime Laughter, who served as Mills River’s town manager until 2014.

Upon receiving the award, Powell told the crowd, “Thank you to everyone. There is no way I could have made any of my contributions to this community or my town without the support of every one of them and every one of you, and I believe we all deserve this.”

Speaking on behalf of Mills River, Tax Collector Aurelie Taylor said, “In the 11 years I have worked with Sue, she has done her job with style and grace, sometimes under difficult circumstances, and nobody in this room deserves this award more than you do, Sue.”