The Shadow
Teresa Sartain Brown of Clifton Forge has announced her candidacy for Alleghany County treasurer in the November general election.
The county treasurer is the chief financial officer, collecting taxes and local fees, and making payments on behalf of the local government. The treasurer is responsible for every form of revenue which comes to the locality.
Some of the job’s primary responsibilities include the collection of real estate taxes; personal property taxes; license taxes; water, sewage and stormwater charges; permit fees; state income taxes; court, sheriff and clerk fees.
Since August 2008, Brown has served as a deputy treasurer in the office of the Alleghany County Treasurer working under the direction of former Treasurer, Anna L. Fox, until her retirement in 2011. Since 2012, she has worked for Wanda H. Simpson, who will be retiring on June 30.
Recently, Brown was appointed as interim treasurer by the Honorable Judge Joel Branscom and will take office on July 1.
“I welcome the opportunity to continue my career in local government and serve the citizens of Alleghany County,” Brown said. “Over the past 12 years, I’ve had the privilege of being mentored by some of the most experienced and knowledgeable professionals in this field. It has been a true learning and development partnership working alongside Ruby Simmons, Wanda Simpson and Anna Fox.”
Brown has nearly 12 years of experience working in a treasurer’s office and assisting taxpayers. She began her government career as a temporary associate in 2008 for the city of Salem Treasurer’s Office. Later that year, she was hired as a deputy treasurer for the Alleghany County Treasurer’s Office. Since that time, she has become a member of the Treasurer’s Association of Virginia whose mission is to enhance professionalism and leadership among treasurers and their staff through education, networking and performance standards.
Brown has also furthered her education and knowledge through courses offered by the University of Virginia Weldon Cooper Center, the commonwealth of Virginia Learning Center, as well as the Compensation Board.
“The classes and seminars I have attended over the years have helped prepare me for the position of treasurer,” said Brown.
Simpson has endorsed Brown as a candidate to replace her.
“She’s cordial and polite to the taxpayers,” Simpson said of Brown. “Teresa understands that this is a job that not only entails doing what the Code of Virginia says has to be done, but it’s also service to the community.
“She already has a working knowledge of what she will have to do to oversee the treasurer’s office,”?Simpson added. “Her desire is to serve the citizens of Alleghany County in a positive and productive role.”
Brown is a native of Alleghany County, grew up in the Boiling Springs area, and is the daughter of Bertie and Linda Sartain.
She has two grown children, Mike Brown of Salem and Miranda Brown of Midlothian, as well as two grandchildren, Donavan and Emily Brown.
She attends Clifton Forge Baptist Church and is a former treasurer and member of the Ladies Axillary of the Boiling Springs Fire and Rescue Department.
Brown attended Alleghany County Schools and Dabney S. Lancaster Community College.
She resides on Commercial Avenue in Clifton Forge with her fiancé, Steve Wilmer II.
“I would like to thank all the people who have signed my petitions and encouraged me to run,” said Brown. “I believe that I can make a difference in county government, and I would appreciate the opportunity to use my experience to serve the citizens of the Alleghany Highlands.
