Chief Deputy of the Civil Department Kristie Pyle and Clerk of Courts Title office worker Ann Trout are running for Athens County Clerk of Courts in the March 2 Democratic primary. The two candidates discussed the race in the first of four public forums Friday at the Athens County Public Library.
Trout said one of the reasons she feels qualified for the job is because she has 18 years of experience working in the Title office.
Pyle, who has three years of experience in the Civil Department, said she feels capable of completing the tasks of the Clerk of Courts because she currently maintains records pertaining to civil cases.
What I do now is pretty much what the Clerk does
Pyle said.
The Clerk of Court files and indexes court pleadings for civil, felony, criminal and domestic relations cases.
Pyle said she would like to have information published monthly in newspapers to keep the public informed of what the office is doing and to expand the office's Web site.
Trout stressed the importance of customer service.
I have been very active in the community Trout said.
Both candidates agreed most Ohio University students do not know much about the Clerk of Courts position.
Trout said when she has spoken with college students, they do not even know there are two separate offices in the Clerk of Courts or where the office is located.
Having the office located Uptown I would like to make more people aware of our office
Pyle said.
Trout and Pyle both said they would like to extend office hours to make the office more available to the public.
The two candidates do not share all the same views on how to improve the office.
One change Trout said she would like to make is to ensure that associates follow office policies. This includes coming to work on time and being courteous and respectful to others.
Trout said she is anxious to be the Clerk of Courts. She will strive to improve a friendly, working atmosphere and continue working with the public.
Pyle said she would like to re-organize the way the legal department is laid out to make it more customer friendly.
Being so removed from the department is not what I envisioned
Pyle said. I think happy associates make happy customers. It is my true belief that customer service is the strong point
