Democrat Jeanette McKee of Hillsboro will go up against Republican Mike Reuter of Imperial for Jefferson County circuit clerk in the Nov. 4 general election.
McKee has worked in the Circuit Clerk’s Office for 26 years and is currently second in command in the office while Reuter is a police officer with the city of Pacific and a former Jefferson County sheriff’s deputy.
Howard Wagner, clerk of the 23rd Judicial Circuit since 1986, is retiring and did not run for re-election.
The circuit clerk position has a four-year term and a salary of $69,000.
McKee, 43, lives at 811 Summit Point Drive, Hillsboro. She and her husband, Randy McKee, have five children.
She has worked in the Jefferson County Circuit Clerk’s office since 1988 and is currently chief deputy circuit clerk. McKee attended De Soto High School. She earned a certificate in court management in 2001 from the National Center for State Courts and a supervisory certificate in 2002 from Southwest Missouri State University.
Reuter, 47, lives at 4533 Rhonda Sue Court, Imperial. He and his wife, Renee Reuter, who represents District 2 on the Jefferson County Council, have two children.
Formerly a Jefferson County sheriff’s deputy, Reuter is a police officer with the city of Pacific. He holds an associate degree and Class A police officer standard training certification from the state of Missouri.
Since 1994 he has coached youth soccer, youth baseball, middle school football and high school track. He served as a trustee with the Imperial Youth Association from 1998-2000 and was a Cub Scout leader and Cubmaster from 1997-2001. He was the Men's Club president at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Barnhart from 2003-2013 and the church’s Voter's Assembly president from 2009-2012. He is a member and current post commander of American Legion Post 283.
What does a circuit clerk do?
McKee: It is the administration backbone of the circuit and associate courts. We are a state office under the judicial branch. The circuit clerk maintains, certifies and stores all court records for the courts. We also collect fines and fees for the courts, and I am proud to say we have had NO discrepancies by state auditors. Our office is a safe haven for victims of domestic violence, where they can come to file an adult abuse protective order when needed for themselves and their children.
Reuter: The circuit clerk is responsible for receiving, processing and safekeeping the records of the 23rd Judicial Circuit Court. These include records of small claims, probate, child support enforcement, traffic and criminal courts. The clerk also administers vouchers for jurors and secures private documents such as juvenile and adoption records. Finally, the clerk collects and disburses all fines, costs and other monies paid into the court.
My experience in law enforcement has prepared me well for the position of circuit clerk. As a law enforcement officer, many of my records have been used as evidence in the court system. Also, I served for several years as a bailiff in the 23rd Judicial Court system and I became familiar with many of the documents created by and maintained within the court system. Through this experience, I also learned about the day-to-day duties of the court clerks.
What changes would you make in the operation of the Circuit Clerk's Office?
McKee: In April 2013, I oversaw the transition of all paper records to electronic documents as our office became one of the first courts in Missouri to become an E-filing court. I see how important new technology is to the courts and I embrace these important changes. I will continue to work with the staff to make things more convenient and up-to-date by using technology to provide information to the citizens of Jefferson County coming through the court system as well as the attorneys we work with daily.
Reuter: I plan to hire and promote well-qualified personnel to raise the level of professionalism within the office. I have heard from some of the clerks that the current atmosphere is riddled with nepotism, cronyism, favoritism and general complacency. I will treat all personnel with fairness and respect, and will turn this around. I also plan to make customer service a top priority for all employees in the office. If additional training or performance measuring techniques are required to improve professionalism and customer service, I will use these types of resources to make positive change.
Why are you a better choice than your opponent for this job?
McKee: I am a certified court manager with 25 years of experience working in the courts. I have 15 years of administration experience as the chief deputy clerk, supervising 65 deputy court clerks, while my opponent has none. I will use my experience and training to run the office with professionalism and integrity while providing the citizens with unmatchable customer service. You ask for me at the front counter, you’re going to see me.
Reuter: Voters should choose me because I have the experience and know-how to make positive change in the Circuit Clerk's Office. Throughout my adult life, I have been dedicated to serving the public – first as a non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Army, then in leadership positions within various volunteer organizations and as a law enforcement professional. I am the only candidate for this position who has put himself in harm’s way for 18 years to protect and serve our country and our county.