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Few people dream of becoming a town clerk, but for April Alligood, being named Washington Park’s newest clerk was a dream come true, because she would be able to work, live and make a difference in Beaufort County. 

Alligood knew the job opening in Washington Park would be a great fit for her given her experience as a former paralegal, a former administrative assistant in the Greenville City Manager’s office and a former senior administrative assistant at the City of Greenville Police Department. 

Now that Alligood lives and works in Beaufort County, she feels as if she can “have an impact” where she lives. 

That impact can look like helping Washington Park residents with trash and yard debris collection, tree management, paying bills for the town, reviewing zoning requests and being a liaison between residents and Town of Washington Park commissioners, etc. 

“In a lot of ways, it’s like running your home, but you’re doing it for everyone that lives in Washington Park,” Alligood said. 

Alligood was installed as Town Clerk on Monday, Dec. 4 as were returning members Lee Bowen, Jeff Peacock, Wade Dale, Belina Cowell and newcomer, Vail Stewart Rumley. 

Teaching her the ropes is Dennie Dale who had been town clerk for 13 years. Alligood said it has been a “wonderful experience” learning under Dale. 

Dale said the hardest part about being Town Clerk is that no two days are the same. Like Dale, Alligood will wear “many hats” like Human Resource contact, Finance Officer, Budget Officer, Zoning officer and the enforcer of town policies and procedures. 

Having many responsibilities is “a welcomed challenge,” because “I don’t like to be bored,” Alligood said. 

In her new job, Alligood is most eager about “being the one that people look to for the answers,” In Washington Park, that will be 392 residents spread among 217 houses. 

One of Alligood’s goals is to know the town commissioners and Mayor Tom Richter so well that she can accurately anticipate what they may need and when. 

“I’m not there yet, but that is my goal is to be able to say when they start talking about something to hand them what they need or have it ready for them before they even finish it,” Alligood said. 

According to Dale, Alligood may be the fifth town clerk in Washington park since its incorporation in 1923. The previous two clerks before her worked more than 30 years each, she recalled.

Because there is very little turnover, “you become part of everybody’s family and all that, that entails – all the spats, all the weddings, all the funerals,” Dale shared.  

Working in local government is a family affair for Alligood as her husband, Brian, is the County Manager for Beaufort County. She doesn’t expect they will have much professional interaction on a daily basis. 

“Brian and Dennie had a great working relationship so when I was interviewed the mayor said, ‘well, if you get the position, I hope you continue to have as well of a working relationship with the county manager as Dennie does,’” Alligood said. She told Ricther, laughing, “I will do my best.” 

Alligood grew up in Plymouth and has fond memories of visiting Washington. She was a patient of Dr. Dave’s and nurse Geneva’s. She took dance lessons with Marie Wallace.