A voter recently asked an important question: what would I do differently to prevent another situation where the Clerk’s Office front counter is closed to the public?

My answer is simple: I will show up, participate in the budget process, communicate clearly, and keep the front counter open. The public should not be surprised by major decisions affecting access to their Clerk’s Office.

When I’m elected, I will participate fully in the county’s budget exercises and budget meetings. If decisions are being made that affect the Clerk’s Office, its staff, our justice partners, or the public, I will communicate clearly about what is happening and why.

There should be no surprises.

And yes, I will keep the front counter open.

Budget challenges are real, but closing the doors to the public should not be our default response to them. I have worked in government for 30 years and have experienced difficult budgets, organizational changes, and challenging circumstances in many of the offices and programs where I have served.

Hard decisions are part of leadership. The job is to make those decisions thoughtfully, communicate them honestly, and look for solutions.

As Clerk, I will examine opportunities to increase revenue and reduce costs while protecting the resources staff need to do their jobs and the access our community needs from the office.

I also understand that change is difficult, especially when employees are already stretched thin. The Clerk’s Office needs a leader with executive management experience, the ability to make difficult decisions, and the interpersonal skills to support people through those decisions.

That is what 30 years in public service has prepared me to do.

I will listen to Clerk’s Office staff, the courts, attorneys, community partners, and the people who rely on this office—often during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

I believe strongly that leadership begins with listening, but it also requires the experience and confidence to act.

My goal is a Clerk’s Office that is open, accessible, transparent, well-managed, and prepared to serve this community for years to come.

If you are a current or former Clerk’s Office employee, work within our justice system, or simply have experience using the office, I would genuinely like to hear from you. I welcome those conversations and the opportunity to learn from your experience.