» Clerk of courts announces he is taking a new job,
Montgomery County Clerk of Courts Greg Brush will retire Oct. 31 to take a new job, he announced in an exclusive interview.
“I’ve greatly enjoyed my time at the clerk’s office. I value that citizens put me back here three times,” said Brush, 54. “It’s been a great experience. It’s a great staff. It’s a great community to work in.”
He said he cannot reveal his new job until he starts it on Nov. 1. He said he had not intended to leave the clerk’s job but “my opportunities in front of me are too good to pass up.”
Brush, was re-elected in 2016 and his term runs through 2020. A Democrat, he has been the court clerk since January 2008, when he was appointed to replace Dan Foley after
Foley was elected Montgomery County commissioner.
Also Tuesday, Foley announced that he will not run for re-election in 2018.
Brush, who is paid $111,000 annually, won election in November 2008, 2012 and 2016.
County commissioners will begin work to select an interim clerk, Commissioner Debbie Lieberman said. That person will serve until the Montgomery County Democratic Party central committee chooses someone fill the job through 2018.
The party will move quickly to fill the seat, said Montgomery County Democratic Party Chairman Mark Owens, who said Brush’s decision to leave caught him by surprise.
“He’s done a really good job,” Owens said, adding that he expects to have strong potential candidates to replace Brush.
An election would be held in November 2018 to fill the final two years of Brush’s term.
He is retiring after 34 years of public service, which includes seven years as Butler Twp. fiscal officer and 20 years as a Vandalia police officer. He also taught at the Miami Valley Career Technology Center.
During his time in office Brush made technological improvements to the clerk of courts online public records website, instituted e-filing of court documents, added an RSS feature allowing people to follow cases online and revamped the clerk website.
“I’m very proud we are known around the state not only for technology, but customer service,” Brush said.
Commissioner Judy Dodge said of Brush, “Early on, he recognized the critical need for new and more efficient ways to use technology for the benefit of our citizens and courts.”
He oversees a budget of about $7 million and a staff of 92 employees. He said the office had 126 employees when he took over, but technological improvements allowed him to cut staff.
“As long as we keep this team intact, we will continue to do cutting-edge great things here at the clerk’s office,” Brush said.
Montgomery County Republican Party Chairman Phil Plummer could not be reached for comment.