Jundt named county treasurer

After holding down the fort at the Crook County Treasurer's Office since Mary Kuhl was suspended on suspicion of malfeasance, Tammy Jundt is no longer the acting treasurer.

Instead, with the blessing of the Crook County Republican Party (GOP) and the Crook County Commissioners, she will officially serve as the county's treasurer until the next elections in 2022.

The party's central committee was tasked with selecting three candidates to fill the seat left open by Mary Kuhl upon her resignation as county treasurer, which was received by the commission on October 8 and became effective on October 31. Kuhl's resignation meant that the civil trial to consider a petition for her permanent removal was no longer necessary, although criminal charges against her are still pending.

The commission moved to accept Kuhl's resignation the same day as it was received, and to kick-start the process of declaring the office of the treasurer to be open. Roger Connett was notified as the chairman of the GOP, the party under which the incumbent ran.

The central committee was directed to select the names of three candidates who were qualified to take the office. The commission would then fill the office with one of these candidates.

However, Connett reported on Thursday that the committee had only received two candidate applications from Jundt and Sheryl Klocker.

"We had a good turnout," he said of the meeting at which these names were considered, reporting that 22 out of 34 current precinct people had attended. Commissioner Jeanne Whalen took the opportunity to point out that it is exactly situations like this that make precinct men and women so important.

On receiving the two names, the commissioners retired into executive session to interview both in turn. Following this, Commissioner Fred Devish moved to appoint Jundt as treasurer, seconded by Chairman Kelly Dennis, and the motion passed unanimously.

The commission praised both candidates, with Whalen commenting that, "Both ladies have your hearts in the right place" and thanking them for volunteering. Whalen later commended Jundt for the obviously positive atmosphere within the treasurer's office since she stepped up as acting treasurer.

With the choice made, Jundt was asked to swear her oath of office and officially became the Crook County Treasurer. She will serve until the end of Kuhl's term, which was set to expire at the end of 2022; the seat will appear on the ballot during the 2022 elections.