Two local women are seeking the seat of Hillsboro city treasurer in the 2017 General Election to replace current city treasurer Bob Storer, who is not seeking reelection.
The Times-Gazette interviewed each candidate asking about personal and professional background information, and their reasons for running.
Patricia Burns, 60, is a widow and has three children and three stepchildren (two living, one deceased), as well as 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Burns, a Democrat, said that while she has never held public office, she worked as a bookkeeper and board member at Samaritan Outreach for 11 years, and was the front store manager at the Mac Printing Company, where she also did bookkeeping. She said she has served as a church volunteer, and is currently an associate pastor at the Cornerstone Assembly of God.
Burns said she is running for the seat as a service to the community.
“I actually was approached about seeking the seat, and this is my first time running for any kind of public office like this,” Burns said. “I went ahead and said, ‘I’m going to pursue this.’ I don’t believe I will have a problem doing it or working with anybody. I love working with people, and I’ve worked with the public for years. Whatever needs to be done for the betterment of the community is pretty much where my heart is.”
Amy Robinson, 34, is married and has two children.
Robinson, a Republican, said she has never held public office, but worked in the banking and finance industry for nine years, and currently runs her own business. She said she has also served on a number of local boards and committees, including Grow! Highland County, where she serves as treasurer, the Hillsboro Uptown Business Association and the Festival of the Bells Committee.
Robinson said she had previously considered running, and does so now because she believes she has the appropriate skill set for the job.
“I thought that would be something kind of up my background,” she said. “A Republican hasn’t run for that seat in quite a while, so when January came, I talked with some people on the Republican Central Committee and they were very supportive… I had a lot of support, so I was excited about that. I’m running because business, commerce and financials have always been my experience and background.”
Reach David Wright at 937-402-2570, or on Twitter @DavidWrighter.
