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Easley sworn in as county treasurer
By TIM DAVIS/Star-Tribune Editor
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 2:28 PM EST
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Teresa Easley (right) is sworn in as Pittsylvania County's new treasurer during a ceremony Monday at the county courthouse. From left are Clerk of Court H.F. Haymore Jr. and Easley's parents, Carson and Jean Dalton.
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Surrounded by family, friends and supporters, Teresa Easley of Chatham was sworn in Monday as Pittsylvania County's new treasurer.
Easley, 56, who defeated Kate Berger and Chad Miller in the Nov. 4 election, officially took office Tuesday, replacing Shirley Simpson, who died in May.
About 75 people attended the swearing-in ceremony in the Pittsylvania County Circuit Courtroom, where Easley worked as a deputy clerk before being elected treasurer.
She was sworn in by her former employer, Clerk of Court H.F. Haymore Jr.
"This is a bittersweet day for me," said Haymore. "I hate to see Teresa go, but you can't hold a good person back. There's no question she will do a great job as treasurer."
Judge Charles Strauss agreed.
 | | Teresa Easley waits to be sworn in Monday as Pittsylvania County's new treasurer. Easley was elected on Nov. 4 to fill the remaining three years of Shirley Simpson's four-year term. Simpson died in May. About 75 people attended Monday's ceremony.
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"She has been a steady, dependable hand in this court for many years," he said. "We are going to miss her."
Easley, fighting back tears, thanked her family, friends, co-workers and supporters, and said she's looking forward to her new job.
"We're going to work together as a team," she said, "and make the treasurer's office a great place."
Easley will serve the remaining three years of Simpson's four-year term.
During the campaign, Easley promised an aggressive tax-collection policy as well as other methods for collecting delinquent taxes, including distress warrants, treasurer's summons, DMV stops, court processes, treasurer's liens, bank liens, employment liens, and intercepting state income tax refunds.
Other goals include shorter lines at tax time, an updated telephone system, shorter turnaround time on cashing checks for tax payments, putting past-due amounts on tax bills, satellite offices for tax payments, day and night lock box payments and working with other agencies on getting better addresses for returned tax bills.
The treasurer's office employs 10 people and sends out tax bills, collects taxes and vehicle license fees, sells dog tags, and handles all of the county's revenue, including state and federal funds.
The job pays $80,035 a year.
tim.davis@chathamstartribune.com
434-432-2791
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County Resident wrote on Nov 20, 2008 6:24 AM: