Town of Genoa

NEW GENOA TOWN CLERK STEPS DOWN:

Genoa town clerk Kate Beckley resigned from her position Monday, saying Wednesday that she didn't believe she had the support of the town board, whom she felt was more apt to work with the town's previous clerk.

“It's the board's job to honor the wishes of the townspeople and welcome their officials and work with them instead of against them,” Beckley said. “The core of the problem was that I was never allowed to be the clerk.”

Beckley, who has lived in Genoa for nine years, was elected to the position last November. In September 2005, Beckley defeated the former town clerk, Karen Shields, by six votes, winning 40 votes total in the Republican primary race.

While Beckley said she handled the day-to-day duties of the clerk, she said the previous clerk stayed involved in clerk business. The town board and its appointees, Beckley said, would often keep Shields apprised of the issues being discussed, forwarding her documents and phone calls.

“It's as though she never left,” Beckley said.