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Show Feature SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS TUESDAY JANUARY 26, 1993 Karla Johnson, working for the people she met Que. The couple fell in Karla Johnson moved to love and got married. Kanab in 1981. I have lived in Que and Karla lived in Orem, small towns all my life and I love where she got involved in the Republican party. She was the it, says Johnson. Johnson was bom and grew district secretary and helped up in Midway, UT. She lived on campaign for different citizens. a dairy farm with her parents, She was also an election judge. Henry and Fawn Kohler and five We had paper ballots and had sisters.I enjoyed working on the to count each one. The punch farm. I have always enjoyed ag- cards we have in Kanab are wonriculture, she says. I didnt do derful, she says. much of the milking. I fed and Que was bom in Kanab and took care of the animals and did wanted to ranch with his dad. hay hauling and irrigation. The couple decided to move to Johnson smiled. Yes, we girls Kanab. it was a decision Karla would load the bales on the cart has never regretted. I think the and haul it. Johnson did admit best thing about a small town is her dad always made the bales that wherever you go, you see 40 to 60 pounds, because they someone you know, she says. Johnson worked part time as were girls. Johnson says she was never a a substitute teacher in the school tom-bobut she was never one district, and as an aid in special to play with dolls either. She education. Then, she was apliked solitude and would play in pointed to complete the term of the hills making huts out of bro- ClerkAuditor. Last year, she ran ken trees. In high school, she for the office and won. Johnson has enjoyed being was in drama, speech, the Future Business Leaders of ClerkAuditor from day one. She America and the Utah Model has a smile for everyone who United Nations. During her se- walks into the office and is ready nior year, she was a representa- to help. To prepare for her retive of Austria in the security sponsibilities, Johnson studied council.After graduating, she day and night. I would take attended B.Y.U. She also took papers home and study and ask care of her Grandmother. a lot of questions, she says. As clerk, she is has Johnson grew up doing outside home of care so a work, responsibilities as clerk of the taking chaland an elderly person was a County Commission and of the When her lenge. grandmother, Board of Equalization. She iswho was 96, passed away, sues the marriage license, and Johnson went back to the farm all public notices comingthrough for the summer. The next se- the clerks office. The clerk runs mester, she attended Utah Val- the election and is over the 6th ley Community College in Orem, district court. The county clerk is also authoand majored in business and to perform marriage cer- rized ItwasatUVCCthat accounting. By Barbara Pyles ( y, yt Your State Farm Agent in Kanab is now fully Licensed to handle all of your Arizona needs. See us at: 310 S. 100 E. Kanab or call 644-268- 3 or 644-268- 5 Tom Haycock Licensed Agent emonies. The scariest thing I ever did since holding office was my first wedding, she says. Johnson married her sister in Salt Lake. The clerk doesnt marry many people, she says. I only marry couples on request. s. She thinks the job as the county clerk is to be a commission resoure, and giving them the information needed. I always felt if I took an antagonistic point of view, I couldnt be that service. I would not be serving the people. As auditor, she keeps track of revenue coming in and expenses going out, and reports to the commission. All accounts payable come through the auditors office. The auditor is involved with the tax rolls, and sets the certified tax rates for all of the districts and it goes from there if taxes are raised or lowered. As a department head, shehas two deputies, Cindy LaCorti and Holly Ramsey. I have goodhelp says Johnson. Johnson says one of the reasons she enjoys her job is because of the people. When people come to the clerks office, they have a question or a problem .A --jCc County ClerkAuditor Karla Johnson busy accomplish everything she wants, she gets discouraged. But there is a plus side. You do more and your abilities grow, the more you expect of yourself, ensolved. the more your abilities grow, need Johnson they with the public. she says. She has also found out, joys interacting is Every day there someone new that family and friends look out to talk to and something new for her. There is a lot of supcomes up. I like that. she says. port, she says. And Johnson needs a lot of I also enjoy this job because of the amount of knowledge I have support. She serves on the Utah Association of Counties Board gained about this county. Johnson says what really ex- of Directors, and is secretary of cites her about her job is how the Republican committee. She other people in the state will is Middle School PTA president, spend the time to help. They and helps in community events are interested that you can do the job and do it well, she says. Johnson says she doesnt think Kanab discriminates in any way between men and women in politics. She says the person who gets the job should be the one best quantified. Its your tax dollars that is hiring them, she says. You want the one who is best for the job. When you vote, you are really hiring someone. And what advice does J ohnson have for the public? I think if people disagree, they should call and say they disagree. That helps more than anything, she says. You can look at it from a good perspective. Johnson says the people who have given her a smile, a hello and encouragementhave been a big help. She says that is part of what helps her do a good job. Everybody is out there watching you, but you know there are people supporting you, and that makes a lot of difference. Johnson says being a working mother and wife is difficult She says her expectations for herself have stayed the same. Sometimes, when she cant at work. Photo by Barbara Pyles. when asked. She also teaches bread making for the relief society and does the music for the 2nd ward relief society. And what does Johnson do in her spare time? She enjoys going out to the family ranch to ride horses and have dutch oven cookouts. She also likes to read, cook and bake. And if there is any time left, she sews shirts, and coats for her three boys and husband. Johnson enjoys her work, and keeps learning. She enjoys politics. People in politics are just normal people, she says. |