Debra DeAugistine This is Me

 Web References

1. 1. Caroline clerk coasting through learning curve - ithacajournal.com

   www.ithacajournal.com/news/sto - [Cached]

   Published on: 9/2/2004   Last Visited: 9/2/2004

   Debra DeAugistine, the new town clerk, sits in the Caroline Town Hall in Slaterville Springs on Wednesday.
   
   CAROLINE -- After looking for a part-time job for about three years, Debra DeAugistine finally found one she thinks is perfect -- town clerk. Recently appointed to serve as the Town of Caroline's clerk, she has settled in to learning the ropes of her new position.
   
   "This job has a pretty steep learning curve. Every piece of paper has to be in the right place with the right other piece of paper. Thankfully, I like that kind of detail," DeAugistine, 47, said.
   ...
   DeAugistine worked as a writer and editor in the tech field, becoming a full-time technical freelancer three years ago.
   
   Recognizing the ebb and flow of freelance work, DeAugistine said she was on the search for something more stable.
   
   She was also looking to get to know her community more.
   
   "I've lived here for nine years, and I wanted to get to know more than just moms with kids," DeAugistine, mother of children ages 9 and 11.
   
   Her first step toward meeting others in Caroline was volunteering to edit the Brooktondale Newsletter, a monthly publication for Caroline residents.
   
   "I've met some people since starting as clerk, mostly hunters and people needing dog licenses," she said.
   
   There's an irony to the number of hunters DeAugistine has met considering she is not yet certified to issue hunting and fishing licenses.
   
   "We're still trying to figure out when I can get in for training. Until then people can go to any other town or sporting goods store for their licenses. A lot of them say, 'But we don't want to give our money to someone else, we want to give it to Caroline.' Turns out it's pennies we're losing with those permits, although those pennies add up," she said.
   ...
   DeAugistine said she plans to spend the next few weeks continuing to learn the job and once school starts she'd like to adjust the office's hours, including adding evening hours.