From left, Moderator Marcia Merrins listens to Chautauqua County Clerk Candidate Greg Krauza answer a question while candidate Greg Carlson looks on. The League Of Women Voters of Chautauqua County was host to a get-to-know-the-candiates forum at the Robert H. Jackson Center.

Greg Krauza and Greg Carlson want the same thing – a chance to clerk.

Krauza, and Carlson are candidates for the Chautauqua County Clerk’s position, and both participated in a forum Tuesday at the Robert Jackson Center, 305 E. Fourth St., held by the League of Women Voters of Chautauqua County. LWV member Marcia Merrins served as the moderator of the get-to-know-the-candiates forum.

Current county clerk, Larry Barmore, is retiring, and won’t be seeking re-election.

Before asking questions, Merrins urged registered voters to get out and exercise their rights.

“We want everyone to vote, to trust that their votes will count and be informed when they head to the polls,” Merrins said. “We (LWV) hold these candidates’ events as a service to both the voters and the candidates. For voters, it’s to give them a chance to hear directly from the people that are running for office, to form your own firsthand impressions. And for candidates, it’s an opportunity to share their views with an audience of all political backgrounds.”

The county clerk, Merrins added, is responsible for maintaining records of governing body transactions such as resolutions and ordinances. The county clerk maintains and provides records including birth marriage, civil union and death certificates. The county clerk is responsible for recording all land documents, and serves as a clerk for the supreme and county courts and oversees the Department of Weights and Measures and County Historian, and heads three Department of Motor Vehicles bureaus in the county.

Each candidate answered questions pertaining to the clerk’s position.

Here are some highlights.

One question that was asked of the candidates was what is the most urgent problem facing the clerk’s office, and what can be done to solve the problem?

Krauza, a Democrat, said the most pressing issue facing the clerk’s office is the loss of revenue when residents renew their licenses, vehicle registrations online in New York State.

“We must build awareness that county revenue is lost every time you go direct to the state,” Krauza said. “Through increased technology, including a county website and flexible hours that meet the public need, we can ensure Chautauqua gets every dollar it deserves.”

Carlson, a Republican, said the most pressing issue is the shrinking tax base in the county.

“The county clerk’s office is historically self-sustaining, even returning revenue to the county coffers each year,” Carlson said. “Unfortunately, a shrinking tax base and rising costs have cut the margins. This negatively impacts our county taxpayers and our ability to provide services, and will be the biggest immediate challenge.”

Another question offered to the candidates was why is it important for people to become involved in government?

Krauza said it’s not just the government that people should be engaged with, but it’s every aspect of our society.

“People need to be engaged. We’ve lost that, that value, that core value, over the last two or three generations. Once again, I’m that guy who believes that it is very important to give back to your community.”

Carlson said it is not only important to be involved, but also to be informed.

“One of the reasons I put my hat in the ring to run for county clerk is to take part in local governance, because I think that’s where you have the best opportunity to make an impact on your neighbors and in your community,” Carlson noted.

Merrins also asked the candidates what specific technological improvements or modernization efforts would they prioritize to better serve the public?

Carlson said he would upgrade the county’s record system software. He said the department of public safety, the finance Department and the human resources department already use a software program for that purpose.

“There is an initial capital investment that would be involved,” Carlson said. “But if we were to procure this, we would be, it would be able to pay for itself in three to four years. And then there would be long-term savings due to efficiency improvements, cuts in the annual, year to year costs that are associated with it, and also it integrates better with other county departments.”

Krauza said he would like to see more public awareness.

“I know in the village (of Fredonia), in the city of Dunkirk, they (officials) film all the meetings and put them on YouTube so people can see that,” Krausa said. “We need ultra transparency in order to give everyone the ability to feel like they’re participating and make it easy.”

Carlson is a retired Air Force Veteran who serves as the Director of Veteran Services for Chautauqua County. Carlson lives in Lakewood with his wife Tricia and five children.

Krauza, former Mayor of the City of Dunkirk, is the President of Twinstar Business Solutions, Inc., building and servicing benefits packages for businesses. He is also president of J&G Enterprises, LLC. He is married to the former Jonelle Frazier. They reside in Fredonia with their daughter Lola. Krauza has five grown children and currently has 10 grandchildren.