— Two Republicans are facing off in a primary May 8 to take on Montgomery County Clerk of Courts Russ Joseph, a Democrat.
VOTERS GUIDE
Learn more about the candidates and issues on the May 8 ballot in our interactive voters guide
Mike Foley, who is currently the county chair of the Mike DeWine for governor campaign, is running against Ryan Colvin, who has been endorsed by the Montgomery County Republican Party.
We asked them some questions about what they would do if elected. You can see more of their answers in our voters guide at vote.daytondailynews.com. Here’s a look at some of their answers:
Q: What are the key issues facing county clerks now and in the future?
Ryan Colvin: The key issue facing the county clerk now and in the future is trying to provide the same level of critical services with reduced revenue more specifically from the loss of the Medicaid managed care sales tax from the state.
Reduction of revenue from the state government is an issue that I am currently facing as a Miamisburg City councilmember after having endured cuts to our local government fund, loss of the Estate Tax and a potential overhaul to local income tax collection.
We have overcame this loss of revenue by consolidating services bringing further efficiency to our operations and holding the line on any unnecessary spending.
Mike Foley: To me, the key issues for the Clerk’s office now and in the future are: keeping up with technology and consistently striving to exceed customer’s expectations.
Technology is constantly evolving, and it seems as if the need for instant gratification is only getting worse. These are concepts that we need to embrace in the public sector, just like we do in the private sector.
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Giving excellent customer service and obtaining customer feedback are both paramount to the success and growth of any operation. I personally pledge to the residents of Montgomery County that I will bring my experience and ideals as a small business owner to the Clerk’s office, as well as, creating an atmosphere that fosters a positive customer experience.
Q: How has technology changed the clerk’s document system and how should it?
Ryan Colvin: Electronic filing has been a welcome and effective innovation that has brought efficiency, accountability and transparency to the operation while also helping to ensure to access to justice. I believe it’s imperative that we also get the Domestic Relations Courts on electronic filing as soon as possible.
Mike Foley: Technology in the Clerk’s Office has improved the document system in many ways, but none more notably than: convenience, efficiency, and the reduction of human error. Technology is a necessity for the future, but proper leadership and maintenance needs to be on the forefront of this evolution for optimal success and effectiveness. Time Is Money…technology offers countless opportunities to maximize efficiency, thus saving taxpayers money.
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Q: How is the clerk’s office running now and what could be improved?
Ryan Colvin: I think the Clerk’s office is running okay as of right now, but I’m confident that there can be further improvements made. I have worked with many members of the staff currently employed there in my 13 years as a bailiff and have always found them to be pleasant, diligent and professional.
Mike Foley: The Clerk’s office has certainly made strides over the years, but there’s still much room for improvement. Customer service and efficiency should be the focal point of the office. Cross-training employees has proved to be invaluable in every business that I’ve been a part of, so
I’d like to see it more prevalent in the Clerk’s office as well. I would also like to personally see nepotism and party patronage as a thing of the past - instead, fill positions with qualified candidates that have a positive attitude, a great work ethic, and a willingness to serve the public with a smile:)
Q: What makes you the best candidate for this position?
Ryan Colvin: I currently serve as the administrative bailiff for the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court and have worked in court operations for nearly 13 years.
Everything that I do in my full-time job has a partnering function with the Clerk of Courts office and I have effectively managed civil and criminal docket caseloads in my time at the courthouse. Also, I have served as a Miamisburg City councilmember for over the last decade, including serving as the vice mayor recently.
We have displayed leadership and accomplished many great things in my time on council and I want to export that success and the lessons I’ve learned in my experience as a public servant into being an effective Montgomery clerk of courts.
Mike Foley: The clerk of courts is an administrative position that requires strong leadership with a hands-on approach.
I feel that my experience in both small business and government operations dramatically sets me apart from all of the other candidates!
I’ve effectively overseen many people in a variety of industries over the past 25 years, and have worked in many facets- operations, accounting, finance, marketing/PR, and human resources. Providing excellent customer service has always been important to me, as most of my experience has come from the service industry. I am the only candidate that has not worked in government his entire adult life, in which I feel really gives me perspective and differentiates myself.
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