THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, May 30, 1995 TAG: 9505270020
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 31 lines
On June 13, Portsmouth voters will choose a nominee for clerk of the Circuit Court. Running for this position are the incumbent, Walter Edmonds, who has been clerk for 25 years and done a commendable job, and Cynthia Morrison, wife of Circuit Court Judge Johnnie Morrison, who has no experience in this very complex and vital field.
Every citizen of Portsmouth who lives within the confines of the city will have his name inscribed in the clerk's office at least three times, at birth, at death, and on the day of marriage. This is the least of the clerk's duties - the scope of the position is far more encompassing and far more complicated. The clerk is financially, personally, liable for mistakes made in records.
For the wife of one of the Circuit Court judges to serve as his clerk would be a conflict of interest. Portsmouth citizens would not be well-served if Mrs. Morrison were elected. That should be sufficient for Walter Edmonds to be returned to serve another term as clerk in the same proficient manner he has served these past 25 years.
RICHARD SLEPIN
Portsmouth, May 18, 1995 by CNB