MEO's Letter
This Clerk of Court's Bi-monthly message to staff, who daily provide T(imely) A(ccurate)
C(ourteous) service to all customers.
At a recent e-Filing training session held at the Columbus Bar Association and presented by a subject matter expert from the Franklin County Clerk of Courts, an attendee of the Small Firm/Solo Practitioner group shared that, ". . . the Clerks in the Franklin County Clerk of Courts are integral participants to the court system." It is true Deputy Clerks more often are the unsung heroes in the judicial process. Indeed, our role is significant to all parties and participants in Court filings. Our Deputy Clerks bridge the relationship between attorneys (or pro se filers) and the judges (and court personnel.) Each day they must be correct and careful in their functions as Deputy Clerk of Courts. They have to be knowledgeable of the rules, formats and order the court mandates for cases to be properly processed and presented in the Court of Common Pleas. Without our Deputy Clerks' ongoing commitment to this essential role, the connection between those on either side of this legal equation could be non-existent. And now, our Deputy Clerks in the General Division/Civil Section are tasked with simultaneously managing two separate filing processes-one system based in the traditions of paper and copies of paper with the modern system steeped in a virtual world. However difficult this transition may appear, these personnel are up to their newly defined and demanding roles. In fact, my staff received intense and required training in eFiling's QA (quality assurance) processes and procedures. As we continue to improve our abilities and knowledge, we become more skilled and better able to serve all participants in the legal community. Our trained and professional Deputy Clerks are adding to and enriching the value of eFiling, and are transitioning from traditional roles as Data Entry Clerks to Document Management Specialists, providing QA for all eFilings. Tomorrow, the Court of Common Pleas mandates eFiling for all case types in our Civil Division. My Document Management Specialists can now more easily influence the flow of these cases through the Clerk of Courts' office and onto the Judges for more expedient service. I am grateful for all of you who have successfully managed working in two worlds --- one traditional and the other a brave new one --- as Civil eFiling has been rolled out. (Editor's note: Look at the TAC in ACTion section and read all the compliments and positive comments made by our customers and clients of several of our colleagues. It's no wonder that ours is the best Clerk of Courts' office in the state!)
Legal Divisions
Read here for activities of the Criminal, Civil, Records, Juvenile, Domestic and Appeals divisions of the Franklin County Clerk of Courts' agency. (For staff changes and promotions, Deputy Clerks can refer to their internal newsletter.)
The only thing that changes is...
The most significant news out of the General Division-it's EFILING every day, day in and day out in the Civil Section. (All case types are now mandatory.) Working as a unit, our staff will brave on and provide all our customers the best in class and service!
While our colleagues in the General Division were E-busy-bees, Domestic offices were experiencing a different type of change. Old desks were removed and replaced with cubicles (salvaged from the 369 S. High Building). Reuse, repurpose and renewed! Happy are our Domestic employees. (Enjoy these images of "the move" Craig shared.)
Concrete Worker
Gina vacuuming
Domestic remodel
Domestic remodel Wayne and Fred
Domestic remodel Wayne and Fred(2)
PASSPORT Info Goes to SKOOL!
More than 50 OSU students visited the Clerk of Courts' table at OSU's Study Abroad EXPO held October 6 at the recently renovated Thompson Library, located on the west end of the OVAL, at The Ohio State University. Most of our visitors were greeted by Sharon (McCoy, Auto Title West). Sharon took charge of her role and competently addressed questions asked by each student visitor.
While no Passport Applications were distributed the Clerk's table featured our display highlighting all divisions in our agency, Passport brochures (which were updated to reflect only CIVIL as an authorized acceptance agency), pens and magnets (provided by the U.S. State Department) and those infamous fingernail files!
Sharon was a wonderful ambassador for this Clerk of Courts' office-professional in her comments, thoroughly knowledgeable in her subject. And, she was a delightful colleague to spend time with at this expo.
Enjoy these few snapshots of Sharon in action and OSU's Main Library atrium.
Passport Day - students
Passport Day - students(2)
Passport Day - Sharon
Passport Day - Sharon(2)
Passport Day - Sharon(3)
Auto Title
Read here for activities of one or any of the four Auto Title offices located through Franklin County. (For staff changes and promotions, Deputy Clerks can refer to their internal newsletter.)
COMBINED Charitable Campaign Results: 100% participation in this year's campaign (hip hip hooray Auto Title) bringing in a total of $1,857.
Know What to Do?
Staff from each of the four Auto Title locations recently attended in-service training focused on "Robbery Prevention and Response". The one and one half hour presentation included members from the Auto Title management and a Columbus Police Officer. The following topics were presented and discussed: Being a good Witness; The Dynamics of a Robbery--Quiet to Aggressive and Victims Response; Crime Prevention and Mitigation--The Built Environment and What Individuals Can Do; Police Response and Follow-up--First Responders and Detectives; Witness Accounts--What to Observe, Information Police Need and Court Experience; and, Agency's Policy and Guidelines. (Photos from in-service training provided by Auto Title staff.)
Auto Title Staff Helps with OSU Student EXPO
See article under Legal Division (re: Passports) and read how Sharon (from Auto Title North) helped share her knowledge about the Passport Acceptance process.
SHOOTERS and RIDERS (articles written and submitted by Jeffrey Coleman, Auto Title Dealer Liaison)
Jody Stokes, pictured here riding her 17 year old horse named Little Joe, grew up around horses and has taken up raising horses and trail riding as a hobby. Jody has 6 acres of land in Canal Winchester where she raises 3 trail horses. She rides through trails in Federal and State parks like Hocking Hills, Tar Hollow, and parks in Kentucky. Jody is married and has a 24 year old son and a 26 year old daughter, and grandchildren. She is employed in the North branch (Morse Rd.) auto title office.
Jody Stokes riding on a horse.
Just when you think you know someone, you discover a whole different side of them. I started working at the South branch office in late June, and gradually began having some interaction with Nicole Deemer, Deputy Clerk, Auto Title South branch office. She seemed quit and reserved.
Little did I know, Mrs. Deemer is a member of the National Muzzle Loading Association (NMLRA), and has competed in both muzzleloading rifle target shooting and the tomahawk throw. She placed 7th last Fall, in the muzzleloading contest and placed 3rd this fall in the tomahawk throw. She uses a Thompson Center rifle with a 50 cal (caliber) ball. Ms. Deemer explained that while she started with only 30 grains of black gun powder to get use to the kick, she now uses 50 grains. She explained that she pores this gun powder down the smooth bore barrel of the rifle, followed by a patch and round 50 cal ball. She then jams all this down the barrel with a ram-rod. To spark this lethal combination, she pulls back on hammer and places a cap in its cradle. She pulls the trigger, the hammer hits the cap, which creates a spark igniting the gunpowder in the barrel propelling the ball towards the targets.
Nicole is also an avid camper, married, and has one daughter nearly 3 years old. She says with chuckle, "she does not crochet." Her three brothers are deputy sheriffs and her grandfather was the Chief of Police, Commercial point, Ohio. All were good friends of Franklin County Sheriff Jim Karnes. Members of the NMLRA must "... promote character and mutual respect within the black powder shooting sports environment..."
Nicole Deemer shooting a gun.
It was a Mash, a Monster Mash...(article and photo submitted by Kenny Skeaton, Auto Title Director)
A BIG thank you to all who participated and/or stopped by the 2011 Monster Mash at the South Branch. The fun event was a tremendous success and everyone seemed to have a great time! Congratulations to Darla Ferguson for winning 1st place in our Halloween costume contest!
For those who are interested in pictures I have uploaded a few to SharePoint and can be accessed through the link below. A big thank you to Linda Evans & Debbie McDaniel for making this event a tremendous success!
LAST BUT NOT LEAST: It's Been Great to Work with YOU! Sharon Bennett retires
After 14 years of service to the citizens of Franklin County, Sharon Bennett will retire as Assistant Manager, Auto Title South. Sharon started her auto-title career in 1997 at 410 S. High. She was quickly promoted to Assistant Manager and dispatched to the (then new) East office before landing at her final post at Title South. She was instrumental in strengthening Limited Authority Deputy Registrar program at AT South (resulting in more title related transactions for this agency). She has been integral in the transition to the new electronic document imaging and filing system used in Franklin County. Sharon also served as primary bookkeeping trainer for the Auto Title Division. Many of the sound bookkeeping and business practices employed in Auto Title were established by Sharon. New managers and supervisors within the division attribute their skills and professionalism to Sharon who served as a mentor and resource guide to management personnel. Many have called her friend and colleague. While we would like to claim her as ours forever, Sharon looks forward to travelling and spending time with her husband of 34 years DOUG and her children. (Jennifer Bennett works in this agency's Domestic Division.) SEND YOUR BEST WISHES TO SHARON or stop by Auto Title South on Friday December 9 from 1130 a.m. to 230 p.m. and give her your personal best at Sharon's Retirement Party.
TAC in ACTion
Timely---Accurate-Courteous service in ACTion! Comments submitted to this office either by a co-worker about a co-worker or by any one of the Clerk of Courts' colleagues, customers or general public also recognizing the extraordinary work by our extraordinary staff.
From Randy K. (email)..."I talked with Tim O'Neal on the phone. He was extremely helpful, cooperative and understanding. Unfortunately, you may only have communications on the "negatives." You do need to know when your staff has been extremely "positive."
From Ray D. (comment card)..."She (Pam, Auto Title North) made a bad day a lot better. Very nice and efficient lady."
From Mark Reed, Clerk of Court, Court of Claims (official letter)... "Thank you and your staff... What a very impressive operation you have! More importantly, what a caring and professional management staff you have assembled... would like to revisit in a few months to see the results of what no doubt will be the largest successful implementation of e-filing in Ohio thus far."
From Bryan Griffith, Chair, CBA Small Firm/Solo Practitioner Committee (official letter)... "Pass along our gratitude to Joyce and Chris for their time and patience with these stubborn lawyers. We can be very difficult to teach, which is why they charge us so much for law school. Joyce and Chris did an excellent job." (Editor's note: This was in response to the first e-Filing session presented to our customers.)
From Jacqueline W J (letter)..." This letter is to convey my appreciation and to relay my encounter with your employees; specifically Carol Johnston, Kim Yoli and Torrey Taylor of your Juvenile Division. The thoughtfulness shown and the 'extra mile' taken by your above staff members, means so much. Their assistance and attitude reflect more than "just doing my job." Words alone do not express my heartfelt appreciation for their care and for them to do whatever they could to direct me. In times like these when more complaints are lodged than kudos, I wanted to make you aware of the kudos."