BERNE — The town’s deputy town clerk for the past eight years, Democrat Anita Clayton, is running to be town clerk. She is endorsed by the Democratic, Conservative, and Independence parties.

Clayton, 57, graduated from Bethlehem Central School District and took secretarial and paralegal courses in College. She has lived in Berne for 29 years, raising children who graduated from Berne-Knox-Westerlo. She has been working steadily on becoming a registered municipal clerk.

After graduating from college, Clayton worked as a legal secretary. She stepped in to manage her family’s beauty salons in Albany and Delmar for four years.

Clayton is currently the planning and zoning board secretary. Now in her sixth year as deputy town clerk, Clayton has been mentored by Patricia Favreau, the current town clerk who is retiring at the end of her term this year. Clayton said she wouldn’t depart much from what Favreau has taught her so far, but she would be open to suggestions.

“I think it’s such a valuable resource for the town, I would definitely continue the newsletter,” said Clayton.