Clerk-Treasurer Diana Cordray had only run against an opponent in an election once, during her first campaign the same year that Jim Brainard first became mayor of Carmel. Nearly 20 years later, Cordray finally had a challenger and she lost. Christine Pauley defeated her with 53.97 percent of the vote to earn her first elected office. Pauley will begin her term in January but she’s already getting ready for the transition.
What did you learn during the election?
I learned what a wonderful, friendly, supportive citizen population we have. The people of Carmel are full of warmth and are appreciative of everything that’s done in the city.
How will you prepare for the role?
I am going to be engaging a variety of professional elements. First of all, I’ll be participating in the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns clerk-treasurer symposium and workshop. They are the premier training organization for new clerk-treasurers. I’m going to be meeting with various individuals who have knowledge of the city to understand the various pieces of city government so I can understand the different pieces of city government.
What’s at the top of your to-do list when you take office?
I’m going to evaluate the process fees that are currently in place and their effectiveness and their efficiency in relation to their service to the citizens of Carmel. I’ll be attending all of the required meetings that the clerk-treasurer is obligated to attend. By law, the clerk-treasurer is required to attend. I’ll be attending the Carmel Redevelopment Commission, the Carmel Plan Commission and the Carmel City Council meetings as well. I’ll be doing that in preparation. We need to have a presence at the CRC. We haven’t had that in 10 years and it’s important to have representation from the city at the CRC meetings.