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Flagler County Clerk of Court

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Republicans Ken Mazzie and Gail Wadsworth are facing each other in Aug. 14 Republican primary for Flagler County Clerk of Court.  The winner of the primary be the only name on the November ballot in this race, but Paulette Dunkel did qualify as a write-in candidate.

Ken Mazzie

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AGE:  55

FAMILY:  Wife and 2 adult daughters

OCCUPATION:  Certified Public Accountant

EDUCATION:  B.A. in economics, Rutgers

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:  None

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE TOP THREE ISSUES IN THIS RACE?

  • "State of Florida Auditor General report 2009-194 outlining incumbent mis-spending $5million, paying $1million of bills not authorized, and providing 2 employees with 20 year employment contracts.
  • "Recent cut in State funding of Clerks office.
  • "Communication and co-operation between Clerks office and Board of County Commissioners"


    • HOW CAN YOU HELP VOTERS IN A WAY THAT OTHERS RUNNING FOR THIS OFFICE CANNOT?

    • "To use my experience as a CPA, auditor, forensic (investigative) accountant to implement the internal control measures to assure that county funds are properly and legally disbursed.

      "To use my 10 plus years of experience with electronic filing and paperless office procedures to implement the mandated e-filing process in the Flagler County court system."


    WHAT WOULD YOU HOPE TO BE REMEMBERED FOR ACCOMPLISHING AFTER SERVING IN THIS OFFICE?

    • "Providing ethical, transparent and efficiently run office that meets the needs of the citizens of Flagler County and the legal profession efficiently."


    CAMPAIGN WEBSITE:  Mazzie2012.com

    Gail Wadsworth

    AGE:  66

    FAMILY:  3 children; 3 grandchildren

    OCCUPATION:  Clerk of the Circuit Court

    EDUCATION:  Bunnell High School; Florida State University; B.A. Stetson University

    POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:   Clerk of the Circuit Court, 2001 to present

    WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE TOP THREE ISSUES IN THIS RACE?

  • "County and State funding challenges & the paperless initiative: Funding is the backbone to any successful operation. The Clerk's Office is funded by 3 different sources: The State of Florida, Flagler County and by fees generated through our operations. Unfortunately, these funding sources are fueled (in part) by our economy which has taken a noticeable downturn. As a result of this reduction in funding we have, like most, learned to do more with less. This practice of 'frugal efficiency' has paid dividends; allowing our office to continue to offer superior service to the taxpayers of Flagler County. We will strive to continue this practice now and into the future.
  • "As your custodian of the public record, we recognize the importance of a paperless office. Over the last 12 years my office has moved large portions of our data storage and daily operations away from paper and toward a more 'paper-free' environment; for example our Official Records Department has been paperless since 2002. As technology has improved, we have refined our operations to work more efficiently and create less environmental waste.
  • "Improved technological innovations are allowing this migration away from paper to be much less of a challenge. We have instigated several 'E-initiatives' including: E-filing in our courts division (which is currently active) as well as E-recording (recording division) and 'real-time' virtual auction capabilities (foreclosure & tax deed auctions), both of which will be online in the coming year. Each of these practices will allow our customers a heightened level of accessibility and flexibility and allow them to perform much of their Clerk related business from their home or office; again reinforcing my commitment to keep all of us online; not in line."


    • HOW CAN YOU HELP VOTERS IN A WAY THAT OTHERS RUNNING FOR THIS OFFICE CANNOT?

    • "Institutional memory - Florida's Clerks wear many hats; I serve on our General Operations Committee, and chair for the seventh year one of its two sub-committees, Records Management. Due to that role, this clerk's office has been on the leading edge of paper to paperless! Additionally, during my tenure as Clerk, annually we receive several audits; one by the County's independent audit firm as well as others required by different state agencies. Of these 20+ audits, we have received unqualified audit opinions, the best possible outcome.

      "Yes, it is a catch phrase that 'experience counts,' but this is absolutely necessary for a Clerk of Court's knowledge of complex and changing legislation and laws, long-term relationships with state and local officials, attorneys and others that navigate the court and records systems daily, and most of all, a love for Flagler County."


    WHAT WOULD YOU HOPE TO BE REMEMBERED FOR ACCOMPLISHING AFTER SERVING IN THIS OFFICE?

    • "I've always thought one should leave and be remembered for what they committed and accomplished. During my first campaign, I committed to bringing this Clerk's office into the 21st Century by using all the technology available to update and strengthen all divisions: courts, records and finance. During these years of changing economy, laws, court rules and additions to accounting procedures, we have accomplished much. The State's e-portal opened July 1. It, too, will change over the next four years, but with our knowledge, we will again keep this Clerk's office at the forefront."


    CAMPAIGN WEBSITE:  VoteWadsworth.com

    WJXT

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