Ed Stanton Jr.
Marion G. Brewer
Age: 66 Political background/experience: First-time candidate
Education: Master’s in education in administration supervision, University of Memphis; bachelor’s in sociology, Lemoyne-owen College; Booker T. Washington High School.
Occupation/career: Retired after 45 years with Memphis City Schools as a teacher, basketball coach, assistant principal and high school principal.
Family: Wife, Josie P. Brewer, four children
Personal: Memphis Education Association, Tennessee Education Association, National Education Association, West Tennessee Education Association, National Association of Secondary School Principals.
Motivation: I am running for office to remove politics out of the court clerk’s office — to bring new and fresh leadership as an executive administrator and businessman who can restore trust, accountability and transparency.
Top issues: 1. I want my administration to launch a public awareness campaign to underprivileged citizens who cannot afford court cost. I want them to know they can fill out paperwork in our office and sign the “Pauper’s Oath” if they meet the financial requirements, and we will exempt them from paying court costs to file a civil case.
2. My second point is to establish an ethics committee to establish a professional code of conduct, which will assist all workers and make them more accountable in their areas of service. I would also like to integrate the information technology between General Sessions Civil and Criminal divisions, in
REPUBLICANS
Age: Political background/experience: Candidate in 1990 for Shelby County Criminal Court clerk.
Education: Bachelor of Ministry, C.H. Mason Bible College; attended University of Memphis.
Occupation/career: Retired in 2000 after 28 years from the Shelby County General Sessions Court Clerk’s Office as administrator of the civil division; founder and CEO of E.L. Stanton Insurance Agency; appointed by General Sessions Criminal and Civil court judges to serve as General Sessions Court clerk pro tem in August 2011.
Family: Wife, Ruth Johnson Stanton, three children, six grandchildren
Personal: Vice chairman of the Shelby County Federal Credit Union; former chairman of the city of Memphis Civilian Law Enforcement Review Board; ordained elder and trustee board chairman at Temple Church of God in Christ.
Motivation: I was honored to be called out of retirement last year to serve in the capacity of General Sessions Court clerk pro tem by the General Sessions Court judges. I have the experience, passion and vision to continue moving the clerk’s office in the positive direction that I have established — and leading an office that is ultimately accountable to the citizens of Shelby County.
Top issues: 1. First and foremost, restoring the public's trust in the Shelby County General Sessions Court Clerk's Office. My broad experience in senior management in county government, particularly within the clerk's office, demonstrates my ability to serve day one — without the necessity for a learning curve. I have a proven track record of integrity, solid leadership and administrative skills.
2. Serve the citizens of Shelby County by operating the clerk's office in a transparent, effective and fiscally sound manner. This includes implementing safeguards and protocols to ensure that all funds maintained by the office, including its multimillion-dollar budget, are accounted for and always utilized in the best interest of the taxpayers.
3. Provide outstanding customer service. Ensure that each individual who has a case or conducts business with the clerk's office, whether a pro-se plaintiff or an attorney from a large law firm, receives prompt, professional and courteous service. Additionally, I look forward to modernizing the office's electronic technology capabilities, including website and wireless and mobile applications capabilities, in order to provide a more efficient and convenient manner to serve the taxpayers. Website: Stantonforclerk.com Phone: (901) 244-7907
Karen Woodward
Age: 37 Political background/experience: First-time candidate.
Education: Degree in Education from the University of Memphis, White Station High School.
Occupation/career: Owner of several insurance agencies former Memphis City Schools and Shelby County Schools teacher.
Family: Husband, Keith Woodward, 2 daughters.
Personal: A vice president with the Society for Human Resources Management-memphis; citywide organizer for Lakeland Independence Day celebration; member and former vice president of Parent Teacher Association at Lakeland Elementary School.
Motivation: My desire to engage in public service coupled with a personal frustration with General Sessions has inspired me to run.
Top issues: 1. Transparency and restoring integrity to General Sessions will be top priority. Under my leadership, General Sessions will vigorously pursue all avenues for collections of money owed, reduce costs within the office and be a leader in government offices for efficiency and customer service.
2. I will work directly with the judges, attorneys and staff to digitize records, thus simplifying access. I will form a committee that will work with other clerks’ offices, courts and all law enforcement agencies in Shelby County to implement a true 21st century database that is accurate and user friendly..
3. My goal is to implement a court date/warrant notice system. It will place a reminder call for an upcoming court date. It will automatically notify a citizen if a warrant has been issued, along with instructions on what to do. Once in place, this system will not only save money, but will free up time for law enforcement officers, deputy jailers and clerks, allowing them to focus on more serious offenses.
Website: votekaren woodward.com
Facebook: http://www. facebook.com/#! /votekarenwoodward
Phone: (901) 322-7109