To the editor:
What do you look for when voting for your local officials? If you insist on experienced leaders who put people first, I've got the right candidate for you. Candy Newburn is running to be your next Jefferson County clerk of courts. She knows Jefferson County because she's lived here all her life. In fact, we both spent our teenage years at Wintersville High School. Candy was raised in a family dedicated to public service. That's where she learned important values like commitment to hard work and to work hard for the betterment of our county and its residents; people like you and me. That's what she has practiced during her 10 years as Wayne Township's fiscal officer and even a stint as a township trustee.
The clerk of courts office is responsible for administering and providing a lot of documents and services, things like civil complaints, divorces, court fines and many others. Do you want a clerk who's available full time to handle those for you? Newburn can do that. Do you want good customer service and a welcoming atmosphere in the clerk's office? She can do that. Do you want easily accessible, clear and understandable online information about your court issues and other needs? She can do that, with a comprehensive update of the clerk of court's website.
Do you want an open-door policy for anyone in need of the office's services? She can do that. Do you want someone with an extensive professional background that's above reproach? She has that. She is ethics and public records-certified. Do you want someone who's financially capable and responsible? That describes Newburn's experience in public service.
Wayne Township underwent two audits during her tenure as fiscal officer, with zero findings. She's also passed audits on the township's COVID, American Rescue Plan and FEMA funds. Do you want a clerk of courts who can work effectively and cordially with other county departments? She can do that, because she's already been doing it for the past 10 years, as part of her role as a public official in Wayne Township. Do you want assurance that the remote clerk's office in Rayland will remain open? She can do that too.
All of this and much more is what Newburn can do when you elect her to be Jefferson County's clerk of courts. You know what she won't do? She won't sneak into the county Board of Elections office under the cover of night, and then refuse to explain what they were doing there.
If you want the best run clerk of courts office, with impeccable customer service; an office that helps everyone, regardless of party affiliation, vote for Candy Newburn to be your next clerk. She can do it.
Marjie DeFede
Rayland