Editor’s note: Each day this week, the Journal-Tribune will feature coverage of contested races and issues throughout the county ahead of the March 17 primary election.
Today’s edition features statements submitted by Kellie M. Carson and Danielle Sullivan, the two republican candidates competing in the Union County Clerk of Courts race.
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Kellie M. Carson, 29, is currently the Franklin County Courtroom Services Deputy Clerk.
“I am so blessed and honored to have the full support of Teresa Nickle, our current Union County Clerk of Courts. I have the education, experience, and commitment to public service that is needed to serve Union County as an elected official. I graduated from Marysville High School in 2008. I graduated from The Ohio State University in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies. In May, I will be graduating from the University of Toledo with a master’s degree in Criminal Justice. For the past eight years, I have worked at the Franklin County Municipal Court where I have gained immeasurable hands on experience working in the largest court in the State of Ohio. I have worked with over 20 judges, five magistrates, countless court personnel and law enforcement agencies. I also had the opportunity to work as a probation officer where I helped establish and implement the Court’s Pre-Trial Services department – a program that is designed to save taxpayer dollars and to connect defendants with programming and services.
Union County is growing and to accommodate that growth, the Court will need to adapt. I believe that my experience working in Franklin County positions me to take on the challenge of adapting the court to this growth. Every decision that is made in response to this growth will be made with a fiscally conservative mindset. Looking at the future, I would like to place a self-serve kiosk at the 161 Title Office for drivers who are looking to simply renew their registration. This kiosk will increase efficiency and save people time. In addition, I want to fully implement the Court’s e-filing process. This is a daunting task to undertake, but it is a task that I am fully prepared to take on.
I also want to introduce programs to the public that would cost very little to implement but would be extremely beneficial to the community. First, to work with the court to create fill-in the blank forms for defendants who are seeking expungements. Second, to collaborate with Probate Court and the Recorder’s Office to implement the Good Deeds Program, a workshop that helps community members take care of their property deeds and auto titles upon their passing.
I am committed to maintaining the tradition of public service that has been held over the years by Teresa Nickle. I will not disappoint and will continue to run the office with the dignity and respect that has been made commonplace. Having her support means the world to me because if anyone is qualified to judge who has the right experience for this role, it is the person who is currently in the role.
I have a servant’s heart and I look forward to serving the great people of Union County. I am a God fearing, strong woman with Monarch Pride and if you bless me by giving me your vote, you have my word that I will not let you down.
God Bless.”
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Danielle Sullivan, 33, is currently the Union County Clerk of Courts Criminal Manager.
“I am a lifelong resident of Union County and a Republican. In 2008, I received my Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice. I interned with the Union County Sheriff’s Office and Buckeye Legal Investigations. At the Sheriff’s Office, I observed 911 dispatch, patrol, investigations, community education and court services. Buckeye Legal Investigations exposed me to investigations, writing legal reports and serving legal documents. I remained employed by Buckeye Legal Investigations until I graduated from Kaplan University with my Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice.
Being employed by the Union County Clerk of Courts Office for five years has given me the in-office experience that is instrumental in being the next Clerk of Court. In the Court of Appeals Division, I process appeals for the Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile and Probate Court and Municipal Court. I am a Computer Superuser and I assisted in the setup of our computer program. I am the Criminal Manager and was recommended by the Clerk of Courts to the Ohio Supreme Court to become a Certified Court Manager. In Teresa Nickle’s recommendation letter, she stated: “Danielle has grown from the data entry position into a valued team player who not only knows the job duties well but possesses the ability to train and mentor her co-workers.” “This program will expose her to the big picture and the role that she will fill in supporting the Common Pleas Court.” I have been accepted into the program and will start in March.
I am the only candidate that has firsthand knowledge of the common pleas court, felony, domestic and civil case filing processes, including the preparation of civil protection orders and arrest warrants. The experience I have with issuing these documents is vital to our office and community. I have experience with sealing and expunging criminal felony cases and submitting felony sentencing to the Bureau of Criminal Investigations.
One of the most significant issues facing our county is the amount of foreclosures, domestic violence and felony criminal cases. What we can do is expand our education. Employees need cross-training in all divisions. Cross-training is going to produce efficient employees that can adapt to various situations and provide even better customer service.
Second, is to continue expanding the computer program, making it so different offices will be able to send information and documents electronically between each other. When data comes from the Prosecutor’s Office, we must reenter all information into our system. By expanding, it will cut down on working hours, paper files and wait time on processing case information, which in return will conserve taxpayer dollars.
Lastly, is to expand the Title Offices by accepting applications for passports, issuing hunting and fishing licenses and handing out voter registration forms. It would also benefit our county if we could add a BMV/Driver Examination Station at our 161 Office.
I am the only candidate that has worked in our office and our court system and that is why I am the best candidate. I am asking for your vote.”