Durden announces candidacy for Clerk of Court

My name is Randy Durden and I am announcing my candidacy for the office of Clerk of the Circuit Court for Gilchrist County. I am 58 years old and have been married to Diane Thomas Durden for over 31` years. We have one son and one grandson. I have been a lifelong resident of Gilchrist County and graduated from Trenton High School in 1971.
I worked at Farmers and Merchants Bank in Trenton for seven and a half years and for Commercial Credit Financial Corp. in Gainesville for two years. I was employed by Mid-Florida Farm Products, Inc. as Office Manager for 21 years. I have been serving as your county commissioner in District 3 since 1996. I am also a substitute teacher for GCSD.
I believe that my past employment history in Banking and Finance, my 21 years of experience as office manager, and my 15+ years as serving as County Commissioner make me extremely qualified for this position. I have made sure since being elected as County Commissioner, the budget has always been a priority and that I was always very active in the budget process. This is extremely important because the clerk also acts as the budget officer in Gilchrist County. I have also made it a point to know and understand all of the policies and procedures of the board’s purchasing and spending. Having been elected Chairman of the Board for seven years, I also had the opportunity to work with Court Administration and also with the various judges on different issues. I have also had the opportunity to work with other board members and have a very good relationship with the Constitutional Officers and Board Departments and also with the county staff and employees. I believe that I have the experience and qualifications needed to carry out the duties of the Clerk of the Circuit Court in a friendly and prompt manner.
The Clerk of the Circuit Court is a Constitutional Officer and is defined as having a dual role of one as serving as Clerk to the Courts who maintains court records, collects and disburses court fines, fees and assessments, collects and disburses court ordered child support and alimony payments, ensures that the court’s orders, judgments or directives are carried out within the parameters allowed by law. The clerk also collects and disburses for the Department of Revenue and also state trust funds, and provides informational, financial and statistical data to the Florida Legislature and other state agencies and courts. The clerk also acts as custodian of county funds and ensures that the taxpayer’s money is managed according to law. The clerk can also provide internal audits of county government. The clerk also takes and keeps the board’s minutes.
In closing, I would like to thank our current Clerk, the Honorable Joe Gilliam, for carrying out his duties as clerk in a most respectful and friendly manner for the past 15 plus years.
I have a personal commitment to see Gilchrist County continue to be a great place to live and raise a family. Thank you, and I respectfully ask for your support in allowing me to serve as your next Clerk of the Circuit Court in Gilchrist County.
Randy Durden