Carbon County recorder announces resignation, gives Democrats chance to choose replacement

By Matt Ward

Carbon County Recorder Laurie Tryon tendered her resignation this week, giving a two-week notice to county officials that she was leaving her position and moving out of the area.
Tryon, who was previously unaffiliated with any political party, also decided to join the local Democratic Party before her departure. This means that party will choose the person appointed to finish her current term in office. Two years are left in her term.
“I’ve appreciated the opportunity I’ve had to serve the citizens of Carbon County. I will miss everyone I work with so much,” Tryon said when reached for comment on Wednesday.
She said she joined the local Democratic Party because her unaffiliated status could have complicated the transition for a new recorder.
“I tried to make it less complicated and cumbersome because I am unaffiliated. I just thought it might be a smoother transition for the county,” she said.
Tryon also joined the party because the person she says would make the transition easiest for the county is her chief deputy recorder, Karla Medley, who has served for more than 18 years, training the previous two elected recorders. Tryon said Medley is a Democrat.
“If I were to choose a replacement, I would choose obviously the chief deputy who works here. She’s been here 18 years,” Tryon said. “She’s awesome. If I were to recommend anyone, it would recommend her for sure.”
Ed Chavez, head of the local party and himself a candidate for county commissioner, said he was excited that his party has the opportunity to name Tryon’s replacement.
He said anyone interested in being considered for the post should email him by Oct. 7. He can be reached at ecahvez@hotmail.com.
Candidates must have been registered with the Democratic Party as of Sept. 25, he said.
Local Democrats lost a chance to fill the county clerk/auditor’s seat in March when then-clerk/auditor Seth Oveson suddenly switched party affiliation to the local GOP ahead of his resignation this summer. Local Republicans chose to appoint Republican-backed Seth Marsing to replace Oveson in August.
Chavez said the Carbon County Democratic Party Central Committee will meet at 7 p.m. Oct. 10 at the Sunnyside Union Hall to appoint Tryon’s replacement.
Tryon will have served four years of a six-year term as recorder this February. She served 10 years as Price City’s recorder before her election to county office.