When Mary Johnston is advertising vacancies on City of Westerville Boards & Commissions, encouraging residents to serve their community, she knows the impact both community service and mentoring can have on someone’s life. Her own nearly 30-year career as a municipal clerk was inspired by the guidance and interest a mentor provided that influenced her life and career. Now she works to instill that same philosophy in her activities as Westerville City Council’s Clerk.
How did you get involved in a career in the municipal clerk profession?
This was something I actually stumbled into, back in 1983. Right after high school, I had gone to work for a company that manufactured household goods and farm supplies near my hometown in Freeport, Ill. When I applied for an open position for deputy clerk at Freeport City Hall, I still didn’t have a specific career path in mind. But I got the job and the city clerk took me under her wing, showed me the clerk’s profession and taught me everything about government. In that role, I was preparing minutes, attending council meetings and working on payroll and accounts receivable and payable. I was also working on public records and learning about the open records system. When the clerk decided to retire in 1992, she said I was ready and needed to run for the position. In Freeport, the city clerk is elected, so I ran my first campaign and went door to door. I kept one yard sign as a memento of everything I learned from that process that still today is in my garage. Had it not been for the clerk’s mentoring, I wouldn’t have the career I have today.
How did you come to work and live in Westerville?
My husband, Mark, was transferred to North Carolina for work. About a year and a half into the position, the plant closed and moved operations. At that time, I was working for the federal government in the U.S. Courts Western District in Asheville. I saw the position in Westerville online and applied. It was January 2003 when we moved here with our daughters.
What are some of the activities required in your role as Clerk of Council?
I’m here to serve Council and make sure Council and staff have the materials they need to conduct the business of the City. My primary duties include preparing meeting agendas and compiling and producing Council packets. I also attend the meetings and act as the point person for the public so that they can obtain information related to local legislation. Clerks try to be among the go-to people in the City, so they are helpful and open with information.
What continuing education is required as part of your job?
There are educational requirements and an ongoing certification schedule for these positions. The International Institute of Municipal Clerks is our certification body. Clerks can also accumulate the hours and continuing education credits to earn the Master of Municipal Clerk designation, which I hold. We also have a peer network to share information and stay up to date with best practices and training.
In what ways do you interact with the community?
Residents, community leaders and business leaders will contact me if they have a question or need additional information about an ordinance or a legislative item. Sometimes they simply need to make contact with a Council member. I’ve also participated in several community organizations and committees, including Leadership Westerville and the Westerville Honor Flight committee.
Tell us about your work with Honor Flight.
I knew I wanted to be involved with Honor Flight because both my father and father-in-law served in World War II, but neither had the opportunity to participate and both have since passed away. Honor Flight takes WWII and Korean War veterans to Washington, D.C. for a day of honor and tour of the national monuments. I felt I could honor my family members’ service by helping provide that opportunity for other veterans. When the local committee was organized to sponsor a Westerville community flight in 2009, I volunteered to serve as the treasurer for a series of fundraisers, including the annual pancake breakfast in June, Porkapalooza in August and the Jukebox Revue concert in February. We’ll work on all these events again this year and send our sixth Westerville-sponsored flight in September.
How would you encourage a member of the community to get involved in order to have his or her best experience in Westerville?
There are volunteer opportunities on City of Westerville Boards and Commissions, with Council appointing residents each December to fill those roles. We always start the process in August, advertising which vacancies will be available. This is an important service; they take care of a lot of important work for the City and the operations of the community.
You're considered the City's public records officer. What does that mean?
I am the keeper of Westerville public records, which are maintained safely for historical value and accessibility to the public during regular business hours. Any member of the community can come in and inspect or request a copy of public records. In this role, I’m required to take public records training every two years on Council’s behalf.
What are your hobbies and interests?
I like to be outdoors and enjoy biking, tennis and walking. I don’t play an instrument, but I love anything to do with music. In our spare time, though, my husband operates the Culver’s restaurant in Hilliard, so we spend a good deal of time there.
