Valley native tops county clerk list

A Carson Valley native and 10-year county employee has been recommended by Clerk-Treasurer Barbara Griffin to fill her seat.

Theodore "Ted" Thran has worked for the clerk-treasurer's office since 1998 and is a third-generation resident of the Valley.

Douglas County commissioners are scheduled to accept Griffin's resignation and select her replacement at Thursday's regular meeting.

In a July 28 letter to commissioners, Griffin said that Thran is the only one of the dozen applicants to have county government experience in budget and auditing as a certified public accountant.

"This is an extremely critical time," Griffin said. "The upcoming general election is only three months away. Ted has worked very closely with me as a member of our key team in the conversion and ongoing development of our current election system and processes."

Griffin told commissioners that Thran was the best choice to maintain the county's success in elections.

"Four years ago we had a 92 percent voter turnout without any significant problems," she said. "Ted was truly part of that success. I anticipate we will again have a high voter turnout and it is imperative we continue to maintain high standards and excellent procedures."

Griffin said she has prepared for the future by training several of her employees to take over for her.

"I have planned for the future by training not one, but several employees to step into the position of clerk-treasurer," she said. "That day came sooner than I expected, but I believe Ted is ready, willing and excited about moving forward into this position."

Thran is a 45-year-old Republican, who registered to vote in October 1988 and has consistently voted ever since.

Thran is a 1986 graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, where he received a degree in business administration, accounting.

He is president-elect and treasurer of the Carson Valley Kiwanis, coach of the Carson Valley Hurricanes Girls Softball team and junior varsity softball head coach at Douglas High School, where he graduated in 1981.

Of the 12 people who applied for Griffin's position only one was not registered to vote. Three were registered to vote, but had not cast a ballot and three were Democrats.