Dowd,
Darby square off in
race
for circuit clerk
by Shana
Haines
Landmark reporter
When Platte County voters head to the polls in November,
they'll pick between two candidates for Platte County
Circuit Clerk.
Earlier this year Linda Darby, (R), filed against incumbent
Sandra Dowd (D) for circuit court clerk.
Dowd has been in the position for 12 years. She has a
total of 25 years of experience in the circuit court system.
Dowd served as deputy clerk for five years, and chief
deputy clerk for eight years.
Dowd was raised in Weston. Her husband, John, is manager
of Beverly Lumber Company in Riverside. The couple has
been married for 25 years and raised two daughters. Laura
Cowger, 25, is a graduate of Park University. She is currently
attending Park University where she is obtaining her master's
degree. Sarah Dowd, 19, is a sophomore at Park University.
Dowd is a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, West
Platte Booster Club, Greater Kansas City Women's Political
Caucus. Dowd is also a member of Missouri State Circuit
Clerk ex-officio Recorder of Deeds Association. She was
elected to serve as president of that group in 2001.
Since she has been in office, she says the most important
accomplishment for Platte County is the statewide automation
system.
The system allows for Platte County court records to
be placed on a web site.
"This helps save citizens money. Attorneys can stay
in the office and look up cases. And citizens can go on-line
and follow their cases to make sure their attorney is
doing their job," Dowd said.
The role of circuit court clerk, according to Dowd, is
very detailed.
"The circuit clerk position is a very technical
position. There has never been a circuit court clerk that
was not in the system, or did not know the inner office,"
Dowd said.
"I know all the court systems. I sit in with the
judges. I have knowledge of all the state statutes. A
staff can't work for a clerk who is not knowledgeable."
Dowd adds the circuit clerk is responsible for payroll,
keeper of court records, including juvenile records.
Darby is running for circuit clerk a second time.
"When asked by the Republican Party if I would consider
running again, I did not hesitate," Darby said. "This
office is plagued by inadequate financial controls, constant
employee turnover and limited staffing."
Darby adds she has worked in law offices and has the
knowledge needed for the position.
"I have worked in law offices for over a decade,
doing research and preparing almost every type of legal
document filed in the circuit clerk's office," Darby
said. "I have filed county and state traffic cases,
criminal, civil cases, domestic relations, guardian ad
litem cases, adoptions, estate planning, personal injury
and small claims cases.
"During my employment in the IT department of Farmland
Industries, I have taken VBA programming classes at Johnson
County Community College, as well as courses in Excel,
Power Point, GroupWise and Access."
Darby claims the implementation of cases on-line is not
the doings of Dowd.
"My opponent would have people believe she is responsible
for the statewide court implementation and automation
of all departments in the circuit court. This is simply
not true. The implementation is a mandate from Jefferson
City to all counties, not just Platte," Darby said.
"My opponent would also have people believe she
is responsible for court cases becoming available on-line.
This is not true, but mandated from Jefferson City."
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