Long-time city employee Debbie Kudrna is retiring

She’s devoted three decades of her life as an employee of the City of Othello, and on July 1, Debbie Kudrna will retire from her duties as City Clerk.

“I’ve been here 30 years…that’s kind of crazy when you think about it…but it’s been fun.”

During that span of time, Debbie has served seven mayors, 36 council members, seven city administrators, and has compiled quite an impressive list of accomplishments along the way.

Debbie was born and raised in Othello. She moved to Spokane after graduating from Othello High School, but it wasn’t long thereafter she returned home and became a prominent member of her community.

“I lived in Spokane for seven years — worked for Sacred Heart Credit Union — and for an optical shop,” Debbie said. “Ted (her husband) and I were engaged — he and I graduated together. He was kind of home based out of Othello — worked as a well driller — so I moved back and we got married.”

After returning to her home town, Debbie went to work for a couple of local business before she caught on with the city.

“I floated around a bit — worked for Lampe Jewelers until 1985 and then went to work in the finance department at Potter Drugs — and then I applied for this job (city clerk), but didn’t get it. When they let the person go who was hired and advertised again, I was hesitant to apply because I wasn’t hired the first time.”

But one of the ladies at city hall called and persuaded her to give it another shot.

“I was glad she did because I was hired as an administrator secretary and that started the ball rolling. And then I figured out I was supposed to do civil work for the community.”

Debbie was hired as the Administrative Secretary in 1986. She was then promoted to Deputy City Clerk in 1988. Four years later former mayor Ted Muscott appointed Debbie to her current position.

“The past city clerk resigned and we didn’t’ know what was happening. We had a small staff and he (mayor Muscott) talked to me a little bit about being a city clerk — so I said, ‘yeah I guess’ and he told everyone he was appointing me as city clerk.” Debbie said. “I didn’t’ even know what to do — I had no training whatsoever.”

“That cracks me up to think about that because he had faith in me — Ted was a wonderful guy — his whole heart was in this community. He worked so hard to make things happen for Othello. I learned a lot from him.”

Another fond memory of Debbie’s was working with the antiquated computer system at city hall.

“When I first started the computers were terrible. Our back-up tapes were huge — we had three of them — they were bigger than us,” she said. “We had to work a lot of overtime because the computers couldn’t do what we needed them to do. Then we got a new program — I was 8-months pregnant and working nights manually putting in every account and that was just crazy – it was hard work.”

In 1995, Debbie received the designation of Certified Municipal Clerk for the International Institute of the Municipal Clerks Association. In 2000, she was appointed as the Civil Service Secretary/Examiner and was nominated for the Women of Achievement Award in 2003.

As a member of the Washington Municipal Clerks Association Debbie assisted with the revision of the Municipal Clerks Handbook and also helped to create the city of Othello’s websites.

“The website was essential,” she said. “All of the sudden, we realized that with the changes in the computer world, we needed a website. At the very beginning we hired a webmaster and each department spearheaded what we needed on it. We kept watching what other cities had on their website so we could continually improve ours. But our website got hacked twice in 2016 and we had to take it down. Our IT manager then spearheaded a new website which I think is awesome.”

In 2007, Debbie was instrumental in helping to establish the Sister City Program with representatives of Wulensi, Ghana.

“Dr. Osei-Bonsu, a delegate of Ghana had been traveling to Othello for years and had a relationship with one of the churches here,” Debbie said. “We held meetings with several ministers in the community and asked how we could implement this new program – wondered how we’d invite people here — where they would stay? When we got it figured out what the process was the first encounter was exciting. We held an open house — got to sign the Sister City decorations. A couple of groups from Othello went to Ghana and got to share techniques of farming. That’s still going on right now.”

Debbie said Mayor Shawn Logan and a small group of people on the Sister City Committee have been working hard get a cargo container of equipment and seeds, etc., ready to ship over to Wulensi sometime next month.

Some of Debbie’s current duties include, but are not limited to serving as the official records clerk, a registered Notary Pubic for the City and community, preparing the agenda and minutes for city council meeting and she is the Public Records Officer to boot.

“My days are certainly busy, she said. “But that’s good because I don’t like to be bored.”

Debbie said she’s going to miss those she’s worked with over the many years, and added she couldn’t have done the job without the backing of her husband and son Justin. “They were very supportive of me with all the hours I put in and with the night meetings I worked.”

She’ confident she’s leaving the job in good hands.

“Rebecca Ozuna, the deputy clerk will be taking over. She’s been here for five years — I’ve been training her for the past two years so she’s well qualified to do the job” Debbie said. “I reminded her she’ll need to do a lot of reading (R.C.W.s) and research, and continue to work as a team with everyone.”

Debbie added that she’s looking forward to some well-earned downtime.

“I’m going to take a break from things. Ted and I just bought a used motorhome so we’re going to do some camping. I got my fishing license last week — haven’t had time to fish in years. I have a huge garden so I’ll be working in it and donating vegetables to the food bank. I used to volunteer at the Old Hotel and I’d like to get involved with that again.”

As to what Debbie will miss most after 30 years of service; “Knowing what’s happening before most others do. Now I’m going to have to get on the website and look at the city agenda to find out.”