GANT News conducted a questionnaire with the two candidates for the office of Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts in Clearfield County.
Brian K. Spencer, current Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts, is seeking re-election, and below are his responses to a series of 10 questions.
- Provide a brief biography and background.
I am a life-long resident of Clearfield County and married to Christine Dotts Spencer from Glen Hope.
We have two children, Logan Afton, who is 20 years old and a Dean’s List student at Penn State Altoona, and Breanne Spencer, who is 12 years old and an honor roll student at Curwensville Area High School.
I graduated from Thiel College with a Bachelor’s in political science and worked 17 years at Fedex Express, an American Top 100 business.
I am a member of the St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in Grampian, and I volunteer as a Catechist.
I am the chairman of the golf committee, which raises funds for church repairs and for the food pantry. I am a member of Knights of Columbus and Lions Club of America.
I have donated time to the community by serving in activates and programs to benefit it.
I am the president of the Curwensville Rec Soccer Association. I have worked with borough officials on locating property within the Irvin Park Master Plan project for soccer fields and with local residents to provide a new soccer field for the youth of Curwensville.
The association currently has more than 80 youth members and continues to grow year by year. I am a coach within the association and have currently been offered a three-year contract to coach the Curwensville Area High School girls’ soccer team.
- Why did you choose to run for the office of Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts?
I wanted to serve the people of Clearfield County and to provide the residents and courts with an efficient, cost effective office that provides a high level of customer service and offers value to the dealings within the office.
- What qualifies you to hold the office of Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts?
I have served 3.5 years as Prothonotary and have cut costs and spending. My staff and I have streamlined procedures and continue to look for other areas where savings can be gained. My Thiel College education taught me to look for new methods and my work history taught me to use and trust my staff to find new methods.
- What is the most important aspect of this position, and how can you ensure you meet all the requirements?
The Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts is the “keeper of the records,” so finding the best ways to keep the records would be the most important aspect.
I have made several proposals during my first commission to upgrade the office software, and I have made other proposals to begin back scanning, which would allow for safe and efficient storage of documents.
I will continue to push the office forward in technology and safer record keeping.
- What do you think makes you the better candidate for Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts in Clearfield County?
The fact that I have already served 3.5 years, provided leadership, implemented cost-cutting procedures and streamlined procedures to the office are in themselves reason enough. I couple that with my education from Thiel College.
My community involvement at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, Lions Club and Curwensville Rec Soccer are proof of my dedication to the community.
- If you are elected, what plan do you have to maintain records?
As I answered question No. 4, the Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts is the “keeper of the records,” so finding the best ways to keep the records would be the most important aspect.
I have made several proposals during my first commission to upgrade the office software program in the Prothonotary’s office. I have also made other proposals to begin back scanning of files, which would allow for safe and efficient storage.
I will continue to push the office forward in technology and safer record keeping.
- If you are elected, how would you ensure records last into the future?
Document scanning is a must and storage of those records go hand-in-hand. Scanning is the first step in the process but is not the only step. Having records saved on the correct media will allow the office to reduce storage needs. Clearfield County currently houses documents off-site, and although at a savings from earlier budgets, it is still costly to taxpayers.
- If you are elected, what would you make your priority in the upcoming term of office?
I would make computer software upgrades a priority. The office currently uses computer software that is 17 years old. I would also implement scanning and conversion of documents to the correct media to allow the proper destruction (under Pennsylvania Museum and Historical Commission). It would result in cutting costs for storage and a direct cost savings to the residents of Clearfield County.
- What is the greatest challenge facing the office of Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts in Clearfield County? How would you overcome it?
One word: FUNDING! Projects cost money and software costs money; however, when the office can open a new revenue stream and use funds, which the state sets aside, it is a win for the county. A new system will allow the office to provide for itself and lessen the burden on taxpayers.
- What would you like voters to consider before they make their final choice for Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts?
I would like voters to look at my background, talk to people I have worked with and finally consider my Thiel College education.
I have served Clearfield County for 3.5 years as Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts, but I have served the people of Clearfield County for more than a decade.
I am coaching, volunteering and serving the community. I live through the Knights of Columbus, the Lions Club and now as president of the soccer association.
Education, experience, community service and character matter in this election. Clearfield County’s choice for Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts is clear; re-elect Brian K. Spencer.