Today The Natchez Democrat profiles candidates vying for the Adams County Circuit Clerk’s seat being vacated by Eddie Walker.

Candidates Daye Dearing, Eva Givens, Jennifer “Lady J” Minor Johnson and Jason Wisner are running as Democrats and the winner of the Aug. 6 primary will face independent candidates Charlie Vess and Ricky Warren in the Nov. 5 general election.

The Adams County Circuit Clerk’s duties are outlined below as summarized from Mississippi state statutes by the Mississippi State University Extension service.

“The circuit clerk serves as the clerk of the circuit court, administers elections and issues marriage licenses.”

All candidates submitted responses to the same five questions given to them by The Natchez Democrat. Candidates’ answers were limited to no more than 150 words.

Why should Adams County voters elect you to serve as the Adams County Circuit Clerk?

Daye Dearing: My broad experience and commitment to excelling in the position are among the reasons voters should elect me to serve as their Circuit Clerk. I’m committed to doing my best in that office. I take the responsibilities of the position very seriously. I’ll be a working Circuit Clerk. If I have the honor of serving as your Circuit Clerk, I’ll be hard working, responsible, organized, trustworthy, friendly, courteous and receptive to your needs. I’m a Natchez native, attended schools in the Natchez-Adams School District, kindergarten through 12th grade, and am a 1981 graduate of South Natchez-Adams High School. I received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Delta State University. I’ve been employed at Alcorn State University for over 14 years, where I’m the Coordinator of Internships for the School of Business. Prior to that, I was employed by Mississippi State University as a research analyst at the Stennis Institute of Government.

Eva Givens: I should be elected as your next Circuit Clerk because I am the only candidate that has worked side-by-side with Eddie Walker as his Chief Deputy Clerk for nine-plus years. Mr. Walker has demonstrated confidence in me to handle the major functions of the office on a daily basis and in his absence. Adams County voters can rest assured that I will be ready to take full responsibility of the office on the first day that I am sworn in. It would be an honor to serve my community as Adams County Circuit Clerk.

Jennifer “Lady J” Minor Johnson: We have a great community here in Natchez. As a Natchez native, I passionately love and want to do my part in adding continued value to our community. I want to do that through my service in the office of the Adams County Circuit Clerk. I want voters who feel as passionately about the community of Natchez as I do to elect me to make the changes needed in the office that are necessary to be reflected into the community. Natchez has a rainbow of people and if elected I will cater to all. I am the only candidate that has experience in both the Circuit Clerk’s office and electronic filing, which I will use to seamlessly move the circuit clerk’s office forward.

Charlie Vess: I am the oldest, most experienced candidate. I have worked with all the Courts and the public to ensure a knowledgeable, experienced courteous and well-run office. The Circuit Clerk ensures legal cases are filed timely and accurately. The Circuit Clerk will monitor all orders as issued by the courts. As a former newspaper publisher, I believe in the public’s right to know when public trials come before a judge. As public officials we are accountable to you the people of Adams County. I bring 40 years’ experience, which includes serving the people of Adams County as a judge for 26 years. Senior claims examiner for the Mississippi Employment Security Commission. A secretary/administrator for the Huntsville, Alabama, Fire Department. Administrative aide to two U.S. Senators in Washington, D.C. I hold a degree from the University of Alabama and have more than 800 hours of legal training from the University of Mississippi Judicial College.

Ricky Warren: I can bring my service experience in our community to all the citizens of Adams County. Having been a life-long volunteer in different youth-oriented organizations, I have continuously worked for positive change and have dedicated my time and resources in enhancing a sense of purpose, responsibility and duty to the youth of the Miss-Lou. I love Adams County and its people, and I believe I now have the opportunity to expand my servitude to the Citizens of Adams County by asking the voters to elect me as your next Adams County Circuit Clerk.

Jason Wisner: First and foremost, I care about the citizens of Adams County. This is my home and I want to see us prosper! For that to happen we need tremendous leadership at every position, elected and appointed. I am a person of vision and I have a work ethic that is second to none. I will serve the citizenry with confidence, honesty and integrity. My experience in public office and government has afforded me a unique understanding of what the public wants. I want Natchez to again prosper so that one day our children and families are not constantly pulled to other communities that offer better opportunities for success. It is time for the people in our community to step up and take charge of what will ultimately become of us and for the people who have been elected/appointed time and time again and have not been successful to step aside.

 

What is the biggest issue facing the Adams County Circuit Clerk position?

Daye Dearing: It’s imperative and crucial that services delivered by the Circuit Clerk are performed in an efficient, productive and timely manner. The need for cross training among the staff in the Circuit Clerk’s office is the biggest issue facing the position. All other functions of the office hinge on this need. Instead of working in silos, where certain duties are the sole domain of one person, I will immediately work to cross-train the staff, including myself, so that each person can perform the responsibilities that are required within the office. I have also set the following three goals for the Circuit Clerk’s office: to protect and safeguard the voting process for the citizens of Adams County; to expand the electronic filing capabilities of the office by implementing the Mississippi Electronic Courts system; and to restore, organize and secure existing and future court and marriage records.

Eva Givens: One of the biggest issues I see facing the Adams County Circuit Clerk position, from my experience, is the desperate need for improvements to the storage of the Circuit records, both old and new. I would fight for all of the records to be scanned and made available electronically, as well as work to ensure that the original records are properly preserved.

Jennifer “Lady J” Minor Johnson: I think the biggest issue facing the Adams County Circuit Clerk position is leadership making the move to electronic means to increase the level of office efficiency. For judges and attorneys, e-filing helps bare the burden of their workload by allowing them to read and file documents instantaneously from the comfort of their homes or wherever they might be, which in-turn decreases wait time and long lines. It’s well known that the circuit clerk’s office offers coffee in the morning, which makes e-filing meaningful even to those that are not so computer savvy that take pleasure in stopping by grabbing a cup of coffee and a little conversation while waiting to be served. Because the decrease in wait time will help free up time for the clerks to spend more time assisting.

Charlie Vess: Three issues need attention. First is service to the public. As Circuit Clerk I will have a staff, which is courteous, educated and professional in handling your legal matters.  I will be a “hands on clerk” and any complaints will be handled by me. Second the monitoring of court orders and keeping the judge informed if any agreement is violated. This includes fines and victim restitution. We currently have many violations of these agreements and thousands of dollars owed to businessmen and citizens. I will pledge to do all I can to collect your money as your Circuit Clerk. Finally, is the preservation of our records. For decades historic court cases, marriage licenses and immigration records have been left to deteriorate and are endangered. I will partner with our local historic societies, the state archives department and colleges to restore these records that belong to you the people of Adams County.

Ricky Warren: I think one of the biggest issues facing the Circuit Clerk’s office is voter education. In most elections usually only 30% or less of registered voters will actually vote. I think if we educate the people, especially our youth, on the importance of registering to vote then going to the polls and letting their voice be heard by voting. The other issue is the continuation of electronic records, especially in the Justice Court System.

Jason Wisner: There is room for improvement in several areas for the Circuit Clerk office. That’s not to say Mr. Walker has not done a good job; I believe he has done a good job. However, my philosophy in life is one of achieving excellence on a daily basis. Therefore, if something is not being done daily to improve and evolve the quality of an office in order to achieve an atmosphere that is second to none then I see an inherent problem. Next, I believe having an open-door policy and complete transparency is entirely essential. No pubic office should have secrets, financial or otherwise. Managing the taxpayer’s money should be taken very seriously. Lastly, leadership. Our county needs real leadership. Leaders do not create problems, they solve them. Leaders do not complain about being treated unfairly. Leaders show up with a positive mindset and work diligently to make our county a better place.

What do you think is the public’s biggest misconception about the Adams County Circuit Clerk’s office, and what would you do to address it?

Daye Dearing: It’s more a lack of information regarding the responsibilities of the office than a misconception about the office. Most citizens’ interaction with the Circuit Clerk’s office involves four actions: purchasing a marriage license; registering to vote; updating voter registration information; or casting an absentee ballot. While each are important functions, the office executes many others. The Clerk maintains voter rolls, assists Election Commissioners in purging voter rolls, and assists election officials in conducting primary and general elections. It’s responsible for a wide array of judicial administrative matters, works closely with Circuit and County Court judges and their staffs, engaging frequently with attorneys who practice in those courts. To increase knowledge about the office, I would like students from local schools to participate in field trips to the Circuit Clerk’s office so that youth can learn, through experience, the functions of local government. I will do the same for adult citizens.

Eva Givens: From my first-hand experience in working with the public in the Circuit Clerk’s office, I gather that the biggest misconception about the Circuit Clerk’s office would be that we serve as a collection agency. While the Circuit Clerk’s office handles the collection and processing of restitution payments, we are not charged with the task of making sure these payments are made by the responsible parties. It is my goal to make sure that the Circuit Clerk’s office works in concert with the judges, attorneys and the Adams County District Attorney’s office to make every reasonable effort to see that when the court orders restitution that the guilty parties are held liable.

Jennifer “Lady J” Minor Johnson: I think that the public’s biggest misconception about the Adams County Circuit Clerk’s office is the unawareness of the services offered. Often times the public confuses the Circuit Clerk’s office as the office to purchase tags, or find divorce documents or deeds. I think creating public awareness by inviting the public to awareness day in the office and launching a website that provides in depth information and online payments of restitutions and court fees will help to clear up the misconception.

Charlie Vess: The biggest misconception is that the Circuit Clerk handles only jury summons, voter registration, passports and marriage licenses. The office is much more involved in the legal process. They help not only the Circuit Court, but County, Youth and Drug Courts as well. The staff processes appeals from both the Justice and Municipal courts. They forward appeals to the higher courts in Mississippi. Therefore, this is a complex and professional job, which requires a person with knowledge, education and maturity to insure a smooth-running legal machine. If selected by the citizens of Adams County as Circuit Clerk I will upgrade and modernize the office with electronic filing to speed the legal process. The staff will also be cross trained to better serve the public.

Ricky Warren: I don’t know if it’s a misconception or just that the people do not understand the importance of this office to our county. I would want to educate them about what this office has to offer them. The Circuit Clerk has many responsibilities and duties, including keeping accurate records, offering marriage licenses, passports, collecting court fees, issuing jury summons, among other important task.

Jason Wisner: The Circuit Clerk’s office has many very serious responsibilities. There is a significant amount of paperwork, money and other responsibility that flows through the office daily. I believe the majority of the public does not have a clear understanding of the importance of the office’s need to function expeditiously and efficiently until you have to actually deal with the office. I believe having a staff/team in place that is professional, hardworking, courteous, well-trained and dedicated essential. Also, an open-door policy for anyone who has questions or concerns about the office is a must. Transparency is essential when it comes to earning the public’s confidence and trust.

 

What experience do you have that uniquely qualifies you for the Adams County Circuit Clerk position?

Daye Dearing: Of specific importance to the responsibilities of the Circuit Clerk, as a research analyst at the John C. Stennis Institute of Government at Mississippi State University, I co-authored a report titled, “Creating a Computerized Mississippi Voter Roll, a Feasibility Study,” for the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office in 1996. This study was the basis for creating the current Statewide Election Management System (SEMS) used, today, by the state of Mississippi and counties to monitor and update the statewide database of registered voters. I also evaluated programs for several Mississippi agencies and public entities, including the Mississippi Legislature; the Secretary of State; the Attorney General; the Administrative Office of Courts; and the Department of Health. Additionally, I conducted election analysis, political analysis, and community enhancement work. This analytical background, along with my previous employment background in higher education, radio and television, have prepared me to be an effective Circuit Clerk.

Eva Givens: I feel that the nine-plus years that I have served as the Chief Deputy Clerk, working alongside our current Circuit Clerk, has primed me for the position of Adams County Circuit Clerk. I know that if elected, I will be able to pick up the ball and run with it right out of the gate. I will not require extensive training, and there will be no learning curve to disrupt the daily operations of the office.

Jennifer “Lady J” Minor Johnson: The service that I have that uniquely qualifies me for the position include rendering service in the Circuit Clerk’s office as a deputy clerk, working as a bankruptcy consultant and filer for the Law Office of Jack Lazarus, earning certification as an e-filer. Because of this experience I can assist the clerks with the new system. As with any newly implemented system there can be setbacks and with my e-filing experience I can serve as a safeguard in the event complications arise. I have also served the community in public relations as a radio broadcaster for over 27 years. My experience makes me well rounded and allows me to begin working immediately.

Charlie Vess: I have almost 40 years’ experience in government and business service. For 26 years I was a presiding judge in the Adams County Justice Court. The citizens elected me seven times to that position. While judge, I had over 800 hours in legal training. This included domestic violence, civil consumer complaints and criminal preliminary hearings. All of these required the ability to accurately file paperwork associated with the legal matters before me. I was selected in 2007 by the Mississippi Supreme Court to help re-write the uniform rules Justice Court. In addition to the above experience I had administrative experience with both the Huntsville Fire Department and two United States Senators. I also ran two private businesses and kept them within budget. In all my dealings I gave everyone a “Square Deal!”

Ricky Warren: I am a life-long resident of Adams County and having been in the service business for over 44 years, my record speaks for itself, which makes me the best-qualified candidate for this office. I will bring my experience to this office as a servant for the people of Adams County and not a politician. I was always taught that if a job is worth doing you always give it your best effort and my promise to the citizens is to be available at all times when possible and be a full time Circuit Clerk.

Jason Wisner: First, the time I spent working with the Adams County Sheriff’s Department as bailiff for the Circuit Judges gave me the insight into the day-to-day operations of how the system works. Several years under both Tommy Ferrell and Ronnie Brown afforded me the opportunities to work with the Circuit Judges, DA’s office and countless private attorneys and to have the knowledge of how to efficiently handle the daily goings on of that aspect of the job. Secondly, the last several years in the private business sector of Adams County have given me tremendous experience in dealing with budgets of hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, providing excellent customer service to all who seek any help, and to deal with a federal government agency (the ATF) that I can assure you is a stringent and detail oriented as there is.

If elected Adams County Circuit Clerk what would you add or change about the current Circuit Clerk’s office operations?

Daye Dearing: In addition to cross-training the office staff, I have three other priorities for the Circuit Clerk’s office. First, I will protect, safeguard and inform the voting process for the citizens of Adams County. I will create a program, accessible through the Circuit Clerk’s webpage, that will allow voters to search and identify the various political districts where they reside and that will generate a sample ballot based on those political districts and boundaries. In order to increase transparency and accessibility, campaign finance reports filed by candidates for local office will be placed on the Circuit Clerk’s webpage. Second, I will expand the electronic filing capabilities of the office by implementing the Mississippi Electronic Courts system, making it easier for judges and attorneys to file court documents and allowing public access to those records. Third, I will actively work to restore, organize and secure existing and future court and marriage records.

Eva Givens: I am already setting the groundwork to move the office to electronic filing for more timely and efficient filing of court cases. Also, I have a cross-training plan developed which is tailored to the specific needs of the Circuit Clerk’s office. It is crucial everyone in the Clerk’s office be able to pick up and assist with the many aspects of the office and better serve our community.

Jennifer “Lady J” Minor Johnson: If elected Adams County Circuit Clerk, I would first implement the Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC). I would then work to preserve, restore and reorganize the old records stored in the basement, have the documents scanned and uploaded for computer viewing, and solicit help from Historic Natchez Foundation for display, research and storage of these historical documents. And again I would launch a website that provides in depth information and online payments of restitutions and court fees. Lastly, I would maintain the current clerks and have them cross trained to provide even greater and friendlier public service.

Charlie Vess: The first is monitoring victim restitution ordered by the court. Currently, there are cases on file where the victim has been waiting to be paid. In many cases this involves thousands of dollars. This is wrong and I will do all I can to make the victim whole. I will personally make sure the court is informed if a convicted felon is in violation of an agreement. Books will be open for inspection at anytime by the press or public. Second is keeping within a budget. This is a fee-paid position and I will make sure we only use those expenses needed to run the office and preserve our court records. Any unnecessary expenses will be eliminated. Finally, I will modernize court filings to streamline and speed up the legal process.

Ricky Warren: Having no knowledge of the current operation of this office, I am not sure if any change is needed. Every time I have been there for different things, I have been treated in a professional manner and the deputy clerks in the office seem to be trained and enjoy their work. I want this office to have a friendly atmosphere that reflects the professionalism and courteous treatment everyone deserves.

Jason Wisner: I believe that a leader is only as quality as the people he surrounds himself with. The team in place to perform a task must be of the utmost quality. Currently, there are quality employees in the office that will have the opportunity to keep their jobs under my leadership. I believe that any quarterback is only as good as his teammates. After that, I think the duties to be performed can be done very well. Once elected, I will have the opportunity to evaluate daily operations of the office and make adjustments accordingly. Any other pertinent information has probably been addressed in the previous questions. Closing, I would like to say to everyone who turns out to vote “thank you” for participating in the process. Also, the candidates in all races: please pickup all your signs after the election. Don’t let them become an eyesore in our neighborhoods.