TDA: What are your specific responsibilities?

BW: As they say, I wear many hats. I work with the town council and staff, the public, handle budgeting, take care of all the deposits and withdrawals for our many bank accounts and keep the checking account current. I’m also the manager for the Cave Creek Cemetery.

I also do some human resources work such as scheduling the annual meeting with our benefits carrier. Naturally, I attend all the town council meetings and prepare the minutes. Whatever I’m asked to do, which could be anything, I do.

TDA: When did you start working for the town?

BW: May 1997. It was pretty scary when I interviewed for the job because I had to talk with so many people. But much to my surprise, they hired me.

Before this, I was marketing administrator for El Pedregal Festival Marketplace at The Boulders for seven years, a cake decorator at Bashas’ and a book store manager for the Cave Creek school district.

TDA: How does someone with a degree in fine arts wind up working as a town clerk?

BW: I guess I’m fortunate to have both  left‑ and right‑brain abilities. After college, I wanted to write children’s books. My mother and grandmother were both highly creative; my mother was an artist, and my grandmother ran an inn/tea shop/gift shop.

I worked as an artist for a couple of years, but it was a tough way to make a living. My speciality is making handmade paper. I use natural fibers to make two‑ and three‑dimensional art pieces such as sculptures and bowls. I’ve even won some prizes and also taught classes.

I may go back to it when I retire, but I have no immediate plans to do that because I love my job.

TDA: What do you like best about your job?

BW: I like it all. I really do. What makes it so great is that there’s something different every day–I take care of whatever pops up. Right now, I’m working on the contracts for the town’s new fire truck.

Another thing that makes this job so good is the people I work with. We have a close‑knit group because our staff is so small. I look forward to coming to work every day, and not everyone can say that about his or her job.

TDA: There must be something you don’t like about the job.

BW: Well, at times I get tired of doing one particular thing, but the beauty of this job is that you can switch gears and do something else. There’s always too much to do, which bothered me when I came here, but I’ve learned to accept it.

I have to admit I do get tired of hearing people complain, but I guess that just goes along with being a public servant. It would be nice if we could get some thank‑you’s once in a while.

TDA: Where were you born and raised?

BW: I was born in Shreveport, La., but was brought up all over the U.S. and Canada. My father was a field geologist for oil companies, so we moved every couple of years. I went to high school and college in northern California, and it’s still my favorite place. There’s so much to do there and I enjoy the creativity of the people.

TDA: What changes have you seen in Carefree in the past five or 10 years?

BW: There’s been a tremendous growth in the number of homes, businesses and subdivisions, which has helped bring in a younger demographic. However, many of the younger crowd want services but don’t want to pay for them.

TDA: What do you like to do when you’re not working?

BW: Besides my art, I like reading, walking and hiking with my two rescue dogs. One’s a Labrador mix and the other I’m not sure–I just call her my yellow dog. I’m also volunteering my time to work with a rescue horse that belongs to Gene and Mary Ann Clark of New River. I try to ride him on weekends.

Reach the reporter at barry@thedesertadvocate.com.