Susan Kirk Is  A Lesson in Leadership

By Staff Of the City-County observer

Blanket statements and stereotypes are never a good idea. Some people run for public office because they really do want to serve people and make a difference.

Take Vanderburgh County Clerk Susan Kirk. She doesn’t get involved in political matters surrounding her office. She just does her job and follows the laws and regulations set by the state. There’s no political grandstanding in her eyes. She does her job with fairness and integrity, or as she puts it, the way it’s supposed to be done.

Susan grew up with an understanding of what politics were supposed to be about. Her father, Frank Tilford, who was elected to serve as Vanderburgh County Treasurer, previously ran for County Commissioner. She was in the eighth grade when she said her father was asked by the Republican Party to run for commissioner. “I remember going door to door talking to people to help get my father elected. Dad was running against Shirley Cox that year. It was an odd time for the party because it was split in two. Of course, my dad lost the election, but a couple of years later, he ran for County Treasurer and won.”

Susan’s political career began in 1968. At the time, she was working as a dental assistant. Remembering that May and November are typically busy times in the County Treasurer’s Office, she recalled the time her father asked her to come work for him. While she was doing that part-time, she was offered a full-time position as a secretary at The Centre.

“That was such a boring job. I looked forward to seeing that janitor,” she said with a chuckle. When Shirley Cox was elected Clerk, she asked Susan to come to work for her in the Election Office. Susan leaped at the chance. She talked about all she had seen as an Election Office employee. She said that during the week of the elections she would go into the office on Monday morning and wouldn’t go home until Wednesday. Why did she want to run for office? “I wanted to make a difference. I want to serve the people in a fair and honest way. I think being a fair and honest show you care.”

While she has worked in a political atmosphere for most of her life, she doesn’t consider herself a seasoned politician. She earned from her father the value of maintaining your integrity as a public servant.

“My father always told me ‘Don’t ever do anything you know isn’t right because there are people who will find out and hold it over your head to get you to do other things that aren’t right.’ That was the best advice I ever received, and I live by it still today,” she said.

Susan talked about the old school way of doing things. She talked about the challenges facing all elected officials. “In this office, the biggest challenge is making sure we perform our jobs correctly. A mistake in this office can affect people’s lives. Doing what you know is right is required. I know it’s very difficult sometimes.”

She took a common-sense approach to government spending. “I think all of the government needs to prioritize spending. When you have no money, you just need to maintain what you have. On the federal level, I think everything should pass on its own merits, with no attachments. As far as Vanderburgh County goes, I think, compared to a lot of other counties, we are doing pretty good.” Vanderburgh County Clerk

While most people may see Susan Kirk as Vanderburgh County Clerk, she’s much more than that. Take one step in her office and look around. It’s apparent that she is adventurous and family-oriented. Her office is decorated with photos of her son, granddaughter, and 97-year-old mother, who incidentally still lives with her. She also has a certificate from a tandem jump from her lone skydiving adventure. And let’s not forget her Indiana Women’s Golf Association Hole-In-One certificate from a perfectly played hole at Quail Crossing Golf Club.

“I really can’t complain. I’m very thankful for the life I have. I enjoy my job, and I have a wonderful, healthy family with my two brothers, my son, my granddaughter, and my mother,” said Susan softly.

When asked to regale me with her tale of skydiving, she laughed. “Well, I came home from work one evening and the weather girl on the television was doing a tandem jump during the Freedom Festival. I thought that would be an exciting thing to do, and I didn’t know you could do that. I called my son, and he talked to a friend that knew all about it. It was a rush in the beginning because you are free-falling at 120 miles an hour. When the parachute comes out and you are just hanging there slowly falling, it’s kind of a letdown. What’s really funny is that I’m afraid of heights.”

A native of Evansville, she likes to hike, especially in the winter so it’s not hot and there are no mosquitoes or snakes. She and her dog, Dexter, can be found most weekends at Angel Mounds. One thing people may be surprised to know about Susan is that she is a pretty good carpenter. She candidly noted that she can also do a little electrical and plumbing work as well.“I really can’t complain. I’m very thankful for the life I have. I enjoy my job, and I have a wonderful, healthy family with my two brothers, my son, my granddaughter, and my mother,” said Susan softly.

Susan Kirk is among Vanderburgh County’s biggest assets and best kept secrets. She has a variety of accolades ranging from homeless fundraising efforts to excellence in voter registration

In 1986, was presented an award by Gov. Robert Orr as a Sagamore of the Wabash. Susan has also been listed on the “Who’s Who Among American Women” every year since 1995.

Susan Kirk consistently proves her worth in office. She is among the few true old school leaders.