Tracy Bridges announces bid for Putnam County recorder

Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Tracy Bridges

Tracy Bridges would like to announce her intention to seek the Putnam County recorder's position on the May 6 primary election ballot.

The county recorder is responsible for timely and accurately recording various legal documents into perpetuity.

Bridges believes that by working as a "team player" with coinciding county and city offices, she will be able to continue to "provide services in a professional and cost-effective manner, maintain a modern office using the available technologies, and to continue to be attentive to customer needs."

Realizing she has "big shoes to fill," Bridges says she is ready for the challenge. Her mother, Opal Sutherlin, is retiring after more than 20 years of county government service, her latest appointment being that of county recorder.

Bridges believes that "whenever any long-serving public official retires or departs, it opens the opportunity for the next wave of ideas ... a chance for a fresh set of eyes to take a look at the way things are operating and the possibility to make positive changes."

"Running for an office in a county you've lived your entire life has a lot of advantages," the Republican candidate added.

"I've seen our county from a number of different viewpoints," she added. "I've seen Putnam County through the eyes of a child, student, athlete, wife, mother and concerned citizen.

"I watched our county struggle when IBM closed, and then turn around and succeed to bring business and economy back to Putnam County. In huge part, this was made possible because of our county and city government officeholders.

"Putnam County has a 'never say die attitude' unaffected by what others may think is impossible," she continued. "It's that attitude and tenacity that makes me proud to call Putnam County home."

As a lifelong resident of Putnam County, Bridges has been a member of this community for more than 44 years. She is the wife of Denny Bridges, mother of three children, Carter and twins Carmen and Charlie, and is also the daughter of Dallas and Opal Sutherlin.

Bridges brings to the ballot 11 years of county government experience. She has worked in both the Assessor and Auditor's Offices and is currently in her sixth year in the Putnam County Prosecutor's Office, serving as the director of Victim Assistance.

She stressed that her experience in county government has afforded her an opportunity to deal with day-to-day problems and crises situations as well as meet state budget and grant deadlines.

She graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and psychology from Concordia University, Wisconsin.

In closing, Bridges said she is "committed and dedicated to making a difference for the citizens of Putnam County."