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October 19, 2012

Candidate profiles: Keener: Experience, friendliness key to re-election bid

By Christopher Smith christophersmith@daltoncitizen.com

Charlotte Keener knows people don’t like to pay taxes. But as tax commissioner of Murray County for the past 24 years, she said she has worked with those who are having difficulty making their payment.

“I know people don’t like to — there’s never a good time to pay taxes — but I do try to help them find a way,” she said. “I arrange payment plans for people who are out of work or having a hard time.”

Keener, a Democrat, says she is “running on experience” in her race against Republican Kay Leonard McCurdy in the Nov. 6 election, as well as her friendliness.

“I love my job and I love working here,” said Keener. “I’ve made friends over the years and I will work for people to help them pay their taxes.”

“I think my experience is the biggest factor to re-elect me,” said Keener. “I started working in this office in 1979 for (then-commissioner) Jimmy Gregory as a tag title clerk. He was in this office for 28 years. I’ve been here for 24 and I’m ready for a seventh term. I’m always telling people I want to match Jimmy’s record in this office.”

Being in office that long has made Keener be adaptable, she said.

“There have been a lot of changes in my time here,” said Keener. “Everything has continued to go digital. Our system is mostly done electronically now, and our staff has gone from three to nine. You have to do what our budget allows us, but we’re satisfied. We have a drop box for after-hour payments and we are taking credit cards now.”

Keener is a lifelong resident of Murray County and a 1975 graduate from Murray County High School. She said her years in office have given her insight into “changing times.”

“I have an idea of when things need to change,” said Keener. “When the state offered to change the tag application date to individual birthdays rather than in April we took advantage of that. We were one of the first counties to implement it when others were waiting it out to see what would happen.”

Keener said she is proud of her tax collection rate at more than 96 percent. The only time taxes aren’t fully collected is when a property owner declares bankruptcy, she said.

Keener is a member of the Georgia Association of Tax Officials and the County Officers Association of Georgia. She is married to Gary and has two sons, Ryan and Trent.

Keener and her family attend Amazing Grace Baptist Church.

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