Reed has worked to improve service in clerk’s office

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Connie Reed

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July 23, 2012

Reed has worked to improve service in clerk’s office

Charles Oliver charlesoliver@daltoncitizen.com The Dalton Daily Citizen Mon Jul 23, 2012, 01:50 PM EDT

First elected Murray County Clerk of Superior Court four years ago, Connie Gallman Reed says the job has proved to be as challenging and rewarding as she hoped it would be.

“It’s a big job. It’s a lot of responsibility, but it’s also very enjoyable,” she said.

Reed, 46, faces Donald Cantrell in the July 31 Democratic primary. Kim Dailey and Donna Flood are running in the Republican primary for that post.

Reed, a Murray County native, says one of her biggest accomplishments as clerk has been setting up a jury information telephone system. Jurors can call the line to make sure court hasn’t been canceled.

“It’s simple. But it saves the county money. If they call the night before and find out they don’t have to show up, that saves the county $25 for jury duty. If I have 100 people show up for court that don’t have to, that costs the county $2,500,” she said.

That message center is just one of a number of ways Reed says she has used technology to try to improve service in the clerk’s office.

“I initiated a website. The most recent service that I’ve added is online payments of fines and child support. That isn’t something that we have to do. It’s a convenience that improves our service,” she said.

Reed says one additional change she is looking at is creating an online system for filing cases and documents.

“It’s something that other counties have been doing. We may not be able to do it in the next four years, but it’s something that would really help in our civil cases,” she said.

Reed says another of the challenges the office faces over the next four years is how to manage its growth.

Reed describes herself as a “people person.” She says customer service is key to the clerk’s office.

“People expect friendly, professional service,” she said.

A graduate of Murray County High School, Reed has an associate’s degree from Chattanooga State Community College in court reporting. Before being elected clerk, she worked as a court reporter and clerk in Murray County Magistrate Court.

“I never thought about getting into politics. But when (then-clerk) Loreine Matthews announced she was retiring, this job seemed like it was something I would enjoy doing,” she said.

Reed and her husband Alan have two adult children.

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