Clerk a perfect fit for Traci Perry

Happy Monday! Traci Perry has a story.

Traci has worked decades for the Citrus County Clerk of Court’s Office. Like everyone else, she’s noticed that available parking spaces in the Courthouse lot are disappearing every day.

Despite having the No. 2 job to Angela Vick, Traci did not have an assigned parking space. So, like everyone else, she took her chances with the two-hour parking.

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And, just like nearly everyone else, it didn’t work. She came out of her office one day to find a parking ticket on the windshield.

Not the world’s worst problem. And, starting Tuesday, one that Traci will no longer face.

You see, the elected Clerk of Court gets her own parking space.

Traci Perry, also known by her maiden name, Traci Phillips, will take the oath of office Tuesday morning for Citrus County Clerk of Court and Comptroller. She follows Angela, who held the role for 12 years.

Traci’s lone opponent dropped out before qualifying, so she was elected without opposition.

Running unopposed out of the gate has its advantages and disadvantages. The advantages are obvious: Campaigns are expensive, time-consuming, stressful, and wildly unpredictable. On the other hand, it’s the best way for candidates to meet the public.

That’s particularly the case when the office isn’t one that’s really familiar to folks. The clerk has over 1,000 statutory responsibilities. Nothing happens in that office without a rule behind it.

The clerk has numerous duties. Finances, audits, board minutes, court records…I’m scratching the surface. 

Most people are unaware of these services unless they need them, so the clerk can be a somewhat anonymous job. The clerk is not for the flamboyant attention-grabber. Rather, just the opposite.

My first election writing for the Chronicle was in 1988. Betty Strifler was elected clerk that year, the first Republican elected to a constitutional office. Betty was a quiet, calm presence. She oversaw a staff of calm, rational professionals who went about their business. Traci Phillips and Angela Vick were two of those staffers.

Each rose methodically through the ranks. When Betty retired, Angela was elected clerk; Traci was Angela’s chief of staff the last seven years.

So, when Angela decided to retire — she was with the clerk’s office for 34 years, same as my time with the Chronicle — Traci was already well groomed to take the lead job.

Now, of course, this is politics so anything can happen. Most qualified doesn’t always win. Voters can be fickle.

Traci avoided that uncertainty by running unopposed. 

We had a pleasant Cattle Dog chat the other day. Not a lot of politics. 

I expect Traci will do a fantastic job. I didn’t realize until a year ago that she’s the daughter of former Commissioner Vicki Philips, a loyal Just Wright Citrus reader and outstanding public servant.

Traci, a Citrus County native, married James Perry shortly before the campaign kicked off, so she stuck with her maiden name until after the election. 

I’m convinced we have a winner with Traci. Here’s how we’ll know for sure:

There are six constitutional officers: clerk of court, tax collector, property appraiser, supervisor of elections, sheriff, and superintendent of schools. Three of those — sheriff, elections supervisor, and superintendent — have what I would consider fairly public roles. Public opinion rises and falls for those offices.

Not necessarily the same with property appraiser, clerk, and tax collector. Those offices are strictly statutory-driven. The tax collector collects taxes and fees. The property appraiser assigns taxable value to property. The clerk has a slew of duties.

My point: We know those folks are doing well because we never hear the public gripe about them. 

I tell this to Property Appraiser Cregg Dalton all the time. We’ve had property appraisers over the years who angered citizens for various reasons. These citizens call the newspaper, and that’s how public officials get into hot water.

Cregg’s been the property appraiser for four years and was just re-elected without opposition. I have never heard A SINGLE WORD of complaint against him or his staff. Same with Tax Collector Janice Warren (also re-elected unopposed). And Angela Vick.

We have professionals, not politicians, running those offices.

Traci’s investiture is 8 a.m. Tuesday at the Historic Old Courthouse. Later Tuesday, another crowd will gather when Sheriff Dave Vincent takes the oath. 

It’s a spectacular time in Citrus County. We’re adding Traci Perry to the ranks of Citrus County’s elected leaders. She is well deserving, and the honor is ours.

Have a great Monday, friends.

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