Can The County Clerk NOT Hire a Chief Deputy?

Experience counts. My opponent has stated that he does not plan to hire a Chief Deputy if elected. This is not only misguided, it is indeed against Idaho Code. ​

​Idaho Code requires the appointment of a “senior deputy” (chief deputy) when any county officer has more than one deputy. 
"Idaho Code - 31-2006.  DESIGNATION OF SENIOR DEPUTY. When a county officer has more than one deputy he must designate one, by indorsement upon his appointment, as senior deputy, and in case of a vacancy in the office, by death, resignation, or otherwise, or of the officer’s absence, or inability to perform the duties of his office, such deputy must continue to perform the duties of the office during such vacancy, absence or inability."
The purpose of the deputy is to fulfill the duties of the elected official in his or her absence.  The choice not to have a chief deputy is not only wrong, it is misguided for a job as large as the Elected Clerk.  
My opponent has also made the assertion that I refused to let my staff meet with my challenger. This is untrue. After my opponent made several calls to my department heads regarding personal meetings, I issued letters to each manager reminding them that meeting anyone from the public is at their sole discretion. The full text of that letter can be seen below.