Smith, Dawson outline plans for SFC Circuit Clerk’s office
Candidates in the St. Francis County Circuit Clerk’s race say if they are elected they will work to make sure county residents have a better understanding of how the office operates.
Alan Smith and Remona Dawson are vying for the position to replace retiring Circuit Court Clerk Bette Green in the May 24 Primary.
Because both filed as Democrats and have no Republican opposition in November, the race will be decided in next week’s election.
Smith is currently chief deputy in the circuit clerk’s office.
“When I started working in the circuit clerk’s office about six years ago, I knew a little about what they did because I was in there every morning due to my job as a reporter with the newspaper,” said Smith. “I knew a lot about the criminal aspect and a little about the civil cases, but the more I started learning about the office, the more I realized I really love the job.”
Smith said the job is similar to that of a museum curator and librarian. “We have deeds going back to 1860 and I’m just kind of a nerd for that type of stuff.
“I love the court system,” he continued. “I know it’s not perfect, but it’s the best system, I think, in the world. I am proud to be a part of this to make sure things are fair for everyone in the county. I feel like this office makes a difference, and I can continue to make a difference if elected. I would be honored to do that.”
Dawson, who currently works remotely for Maximus as a QA analyst, said she is running for the position to bring a better understanding to the community about circuit court. Dawson said she has an associate’s degree in paralegal studies from National Paralegal
College and Associates and is working to obtain a bachelor’s degree in legal studies. She is a member of the National Association of Legal Assistants.
“I am the best candidate because I relate to everyone in this town and everyone in this county,” said Dawson, adding she is a St. Francis County native and 1999 graduate of Forrest City High School. “I love the county I’m in. I was born and raised here. I want everyone to get a good understanding of what’s going on and to get the information they’re not getting.”
If elected, Dawson said she would work to make sure records kept in the circuit clerk’s office are “accurate.”
“Everything in the computer system will be accurate,” said Dawson. “I will also bring awareness of where they can go
to receive this information. Anyone should know where to go to look up the information they need, whether it be in the courthouse or online.”
Smith said he does not anticipate any staffing changes in the office if elected.
“There will be some changes in efficiency because I think some of the things we do are duplications,” said Smith. “Next year we will be a full e-filing court, meaning everything we get will be digital, which will cut down on the duplication of things with paperwork and maintaining files.”
Smith said he also would like to see some changes in the jury orientation process.
“I believe jury orientation is something that can be streamlined,” said Smith. “I know no one likes to get that questionnaire in the mail. I think we can make things less painful for people coming in for orientation by maybe reducing the amount of time it takes or maybe being more flexible with hours and holding it in the afternoon after people get off work so that it is less of a hardship on those called for jury duty.”
Dawson said she would work to learn about the jury orientation and selection process if elected.
“I’m quite sure that when I am elected I will have a better understanding of jury selection and a better way to process it,” said Dawson. “You can always better something.”
Smith said his experience with the court system speaks for itself.
“I worked at the Times-Herald for 14 years, and every morning I would look at the criminal reports. I have known the language of that and the levels of charges and things like that for over 20 years now,” said Smith. “We have had civil trials where I have gone from beginning to end with these cases, some of which have taken up to three weeks. I was involved in each and every aspect of that from starting the case to siting there sometimes until 9 at night waiting for the jury to come back with a verdict.”
Dawson said her experience with the court system was gained while working in St. Francis County District Court where she served in positions ranging from deputy district clerk to chief clerk and court clerk.
“I was a deputy clerk for three years before I went off and worked at Cato’s in Forrest City and Fred’s in Marianna where I was manager,” said Dawson. “I made my way back to District Court after some time and became chief clerk after Mrs. Helen Rhodes left. I served in that position for one year.”
In addition to criminal, civil and chancery court files, the circuit clerk’s office also maintains land records for the county.
Dawson said she has no experience working with land records but is “knowledgeable of them.”
Smith said the land records kept in the circuit clerk’s office include both paper and digital deeds.
“We have to make sure that everything that comes through our office is recorded correctly, such as making sure the documents are notarized and filed in the correct county,” said Smith. “I look up deeds all the time for people looking for something their great-greatgranddad owned. Some people are really amazed at how quickly we can find these things. I think that is a testament to how well these records have kept been under Mrs. Green’s administration. When I am elected, I will make sure all of those deeds continue to be recorded and maintained in the same manner so that 20 years from now people can still find them as easily as I can find them today.”
Smith and Dawson agree that the operation of the circuit clerk’s office is critical to the judicial process.
“It is very critical,” said
Dawson. “You have to be accurate in every situation. You have to be accurate and knowledgeable, and I am the best person for that position.”
“The reason this office is important is because if we don’t do our jobs correctly and something is filed in the wrong court, it creates a mess that can affect the timeline on some things. We’re almost like gatekeepers," said Smith."We make sure things meet the standards and make sure the records are kept timely. Something filed today doesn’t need to sit around for three weeks before it ends up where it needs to be. It needs to be done when it gets here. The last thing we want is for a lawyer to tell a judge they filed something and can’t find it because we didn’t file it in a timely manner. It’s also about respecting people and letting them know there are going to be people here to help them when they need it and not just computers.
“A vote for Alan Smith is a vote for progress but also a vote for understanding,” Smith continued. “I am excited about moving into the digital age because I have been working hard for the last six years to get us to this point. I will be honored if the people of St. Francis County will allow me to continue this journey.”