PORT ANGELES — Kathy Miller, Clallam County’s chief deputy auditor and recorder, will retire next month, Auditor Patty Rosand announced.
A public reception is planned for 2 p.m. June 20 to celebrate Miller’s 36 years of service to the county.
“She has served as my ‘right hand’ for the past eight years and dear friend for 27 years,” Rosand said.
Miller, 57, took a job with the Assessor’s Office shortly after she moved to Port Angeles in 1978.
She was hired two months later by former Auditor Teeny Thorne to work in vehicle licensing. She was promoted to licensing manager in 1984, working under former Auditor Mary Hordyk.
“I was in this department when the first computer was installed . . . Wow!” Miller recalled.
Miller moved into recording when former Auditor Ken Foster was elected in 1994 and longtime employee Geri Braun retired.
20 years
She has served as recorder for the past 20 years.
“For the first couple of years, I recorded documents with big numbering stamps and recorded it all in big ledger books and kept all the monies in a wooden box,” Miller said.
“Now I have the most elaborate computer system in the whole courthouse, I think setting precedence for a lot of offices.”
Miller said she grew to love old records and preserving them for future generations.
She added: “I will miss all my co-workers as we have been together for many, many years.
“They are all like family. We have raised our kids together and all had major life experiences together.”
Rosand announced this month that she will not seek re-election for a third four-year term.
Current Elections Supervisor Shoona Riggs and county Health and Human Services Administrative Coordinator Kim Yacklin are running for Rosand’s nonpartisan position.
In retirement, Miller plans to raise her horses, garden and spend time with her 4-year-old grandson.
“My husband and I will be riding off into the sunset,” she said.
“It’s been a good ride.”
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
