Micki Harnois on lessons learned from working as a clerk/ treasurer in one small town, while serving as an elected official in another.

Interview by Jennifer Krazit

You began your career in urban planning. What led you to public service?
I studied urban and regional planning at Eastern Washington University. Early on, I was working as an intern on some of Rockford’s comprehensive plan updates. While I was there, I thought, “It would be nice to be an elected official in this town.” A few years later, a position came up on the town council. I went ahead and applied and was elected in 2001. In 2010, I was elected mayor and served in that position for four years. I’ve been on the council ever since. I guess because I lived in Rockford, I wanted to be able to make decisions about my town and the direction it was going.

Micki Harnois at Rockford’s historic Pump House, built in 1917 to service the town’s water system. (Photo by Rajah Bose)

You’re deeply involved with AWC, and on the board of directors for both the Risk Management Service Agency (RMSA) and AWC’s District 1. What motivated you to get involved with AWC?
I wanted to be the best elected official I could for our town, and the only way to do that was to be trained. I figured the citizens voted for me, so I needed to be a good councilmember.

In addition to your council position in Rockford, you’re also clerk/treasurer for the Town of Malden, about 40 minutes away. What prompted you to work in a second jurisdiction?
Malden had a fire over Labor Day 2020 that wiped out 80 percent of the homes, the post office, city hall, the fire station, the community center—everything. There were no public buildings left. About two months after the fire, both the mayor and the city clerk quit, and I thought, “I’ve got to be able to do something to help this town.” I knew enough about the accounting software they use, so I figured I’d go in and at least help with that. I did that for a month. An ad ran for the clerk position and nobody applied, so I was appointed and have been there since. We now have someone working as a deputy clerk, who I’m training. I’m hoping to be semi-retired again by the end of the year.

Micki Harnois at Malden’s new Town Hall building. (Photo by Rajah Bose)

Can you share any favorite small-town moments?
After the Malden fire, a group of 60 Amish and Mennonites from Montana, Wyoming, and other northern states came and built eight homes. They would come into my office and have lunch. One day I said, “I know most guys that aren’t Amish talk about girls and cars. What do you guys talk about?” And they said, “Well, girls and horses!” They were such an experience.

They have an auction every spring to raise the money for building materials. And because of what they did for Malden, my friend and I go every year to support them during their auction.

What’s one thing you’d change about your hometown if you could?
In Rockford, we have two restaurants and two banks. But we don’t have a grocery store. When I get old and crotchety, I’d like to be able to just take my little scooter and go down and get a potato here instead of going to Spokane Valley to shop for groceries.

The Malden mayor once called you an angel for Malden. What do you think has made you so successful as a local leader?
The mayor appreciates me so much because he knows my planning and town leadership background. When he introduces me, he says, “This is my clerk/attorney/planner.” Being on [AWC] boards helps me. People know when I’m talking that I mean what I say. I feel like I get a lot of respect because of all the experience I gained from working with AWC. I don’t talk fancy; I just get it laid out. And I do have a passion, definitely, for these small towns.

Harnois chats with Mayor Dan Harwood in her office at Malden’s new Town Hall building. (Photo by Rajah Bose)

Any advice for small-town local electeds and staffers?
Get as much education as you can. I know it’s hard because they usually have a full-time job besides doing their elected official stuff. And clerks are so strapped for time that they can’t even go to a budget training workshop. But if you really want to do a good job, and are sincere about your position, take advantage of the resources available to you, even if it’s just a small regional meeting. One advantage after COVID is that a lot of training is now done online. And remember you’ve got neighbors. Getting to know your area mayors and councilmembers is so important.

You’re retiring from the AWC board this year. What are your plans moving forward?
I’m on the Partners for Rural Washington board, and they’re starting to emphasize economic development in small towns. I’ll remain on that board and do whatever I can to help. I’m sure I’ll still help out Malden, because there’ll be an annual report to do and other clerk things. I’m still on the RMSA board. I’ve got three and a half more years on Rockford’s council. I will always be involved in something. That’s just the way I am.