AMERICUS — With the recent announcement of retirement from Sumter County’s long time serving Clerk of Superior Court, Nancy C. Smith, Mist Harry announced that she is seeking election as the next Sumter County Clerk of Superior Court.
She issued the following announcement.”
“I’ve called Sumter County home since I moved here with my parents, Donald and Wanda Wilson, when I was 12 years old. I’ve been married for 12 years to … James “Shorty” Harry III, and we have two sons, Blake and Henry. I’m also a member of Life Point Church in Americus where I am actively involved in music ministry as a pianist and a vocalist.
“I am a two-time 2010 graduate of Darton College with an associate of applied science in paralegal studies and an associate of science in business administration, and I am 2013 graduate of Georgia Southwestern State University with a bachelor of business sdministration in management.
“I’m currently the longest serving full time Deputy Clerk of Superior Court in the Superior Court clerk’s office, having begun my career in 2011. I have worked side by side with Mrs. Nancy Smith, our clerk of 17 years, being trained by and learning from her for almost five years. I’ve always shown pride in my work ethic … I’m the only candidate with the advantage of being experienced in almost every area of the clerk’s office. I am experienced in both the civil and criminal divisions for both State and Superior Court. My area of expertise is currently in the Superior Court criminal division which involves managing all felony cases for Sumter County, but in addition to my normal responsibilities, I’m also cross-trained with the ability to fill-in in almost every other area of the office as needed including Superior and State court civil, State court criminal, calendar scheduling for both courts and divisions, liens, UCCs, temporary protective orders, traffic offenses and transmissions to the Department of Driver Services, and numerous other areas as the need arises. I’ve also served as the Board of Equalization clerk, which the Clerk of Court is administrator of, since 2011. I’ve been a certified passport acceptance agent since 2012, and I’m the only candidate with hands-on experience in jury selection, having assisted the court in selecting a jury on my own without the assistance or presence of the clerk. My familiarity of the court system goes beyond just having knowledge of court procedures. I am in the courtroom weekly performing the duties of the clerk as a deputy clerk …
“The clerk’s job goes well beyond just being the holder of public records. Knowledge and experience goes a long way when it comes to the incredible responsibly that comes along with the position. From ensuring convictions are reported correctly for the purposes of criminal backgrounds to distributing fine revenue to correct recipients at the correct amounts, the clerk must be knowledgeable, diligent, and trustworthy. I’m ready for that responsibility. I’ve been labeled as a perfectionist on many occasions when it comes to my job as a deputy clerk, but in understanding the effect even the smallest error can have on someone’s life, I’ve come to find that striving for perfection is a necessity. If you’ll make me the next Sumter County Clerk of Superior Court, you’ll never have to worry about whether or not the job is getting done correctly. I give you my word that it will be.”