Yates town clerk gets a surprise presentation

Provided photo – Some members of the Orleans County Town Clerk’s Association include, from left: Susan Colby, Clarendon; Darlene Rich, Shelby; Cindy Oliver, Murray; Jean Klatt, Gaines; Brenda Donald, Yates; Amy Richardson, Kendall; Barb Klatt, Ridgeway; and Donna Goodrich, deputy clerk for Clarendon.

YATES – Members of the Orleans County Town Clerk’s Association made a surprise presentation last week to retiring Yates Town Clerk Brenda Donald.

The presentation was made during the regular meeting of the Yates Town Board on Dec. 10. The clerks wanted to recognize Donald for her many years of service. She will retire Dec. 31.

Donald was presented with gifts and a declaration that stated in part: “Being the closest level of government to the people, the Clerk can’t help but care for the Community almost like extended family, as residents put their trust in that office for not only honest, efficient service, but in caring for the Clerk they elect, as in Brenda’s case, many times over.”

Donald was appointed as deputy to Town Clerk Larry Brown on Aug. 1, 1987. She served in that position until 2001 when she was appointed to the position of Town Clerk, following Brown’s death, and has served as Town Clerk for the past 14 years.

She has been a member of the Orleans County Town Clerk’s Association throughout her years of service. Members of the Town Clerk’s Association expressed gratitude to Donald for her decades of service to the Yates community.

“We thank you for the respect you’ve given to the position of Town Clerk and your attention to matters of importance to your community,” they said.