Collins unopposed for clerk

Name: Janet Collins
Age: 54   
Occupation: County Clerk   
Running for: County Clerk
Party affiliation: Democrat
Elected offices held: County Clerk

Q: What are the primary responsibilities of the county clerk?

A: The clerk is the chief election officer for the county, the probate court clerk, the person who maintains all the property, marriage, probate, and commission records for the county.

Q: What are some of the achievements you have made while in office?

A: I have updated the property records by having scanned images instead of the paper ones and that saved the county over $1,000 per month. I have changed (not by choice) the voting system. The state required all the counties to go to the system that they chose. We have had many new regulations but were successful in making those changes.

Q: Describe a challenge you faced while in office and explain how you dealt with it.

A: All the new federal Help America Vote Act laws caused us to change the machines, some of our polling places, the materials that we use to train our poll workers, how the provisional ballots are handled and required new federal reports. I got the best and most knowledgeable help that I could find to advise me and then began working through one problem at a time until I came up with a plan and procedure. 

Q: What is the most enjoyable part of your job?

A: Serving the public. I really enjoy helping someone find information that they are wanting. I was fortunate to be trained under two really good clerks that were public servants and not just public officials.

Q: Why do you want to continue in the office of county clerk?

A: I am a native of Roosevelt County and really love my community. It is a good job and I get a lot of satisfaction from it.