Candidate for Clerk: Traci Gants

DAVENPORT- Traci Gants is running for Lincoln County Clerk and has been Deputy Clerk for 16 years.

"The opportunity came up when the former County Clerk Peggy Semprimonznik announced her retirement," Gants said. "It is the next step."

The county clerk position responsibilities include maintaining records of notary bonds, compiling and maintaining the paperwork for each case the judge hears and serving summons.

"The clerk is the official record keeper and financial officer for the superior court," Gants said. "All superior court cases can include criminal, civil and protection orders."

Gants said the County Clerk also handles jury lists and who can serve on the jury.

An individual who wishes to see non-confidential court cases can do so by requesting to see them at the courthouse.

"Most of our files are public record," Gants said. "They can request to see a non-confidential case file and pay for copies to be sent to them."

A good working relationship with the prosecutor's office is often important for the County Clerk.

"I think the relationship is good," Gants said. "They file through us for their felony criminal cases, so we do work with them a little bit."

"We do work hand and hand with Superior Court since we are the record keeper for them," Gants said. "I think the relationship is great."

The County Clerk has many different priorities during the week and the workload can vary.

"Each employee in the office has their regular tasks they do on a daily basis," Gants said. "For instance, on Monday the Judge processes the divorce cases, so that is done in the beginning of the week."

"We need to make sure that every court case has been scanned and completed correctly," Gants added.

"There are certain cases that take more priority, like protection orders," Gants said.

Many challenges can occur such as law changes and learning terminology.

"When the law changes it can affect us," Gants said. "It gets easier over time."

"On every court order there is going to a place where it says clerk's action required," Gants said. "That could be sending copies, it could be that we need to send a mental evaluation that is requested."

Gants is running unopposed for clerk and will replace longtime clerk Peggy Semprimoznik, who plans to retire at the end of the year.

BIO:

Name: Traci Gants

Age: 38

Family: Married with three children

Hometown: Davenport

Current Residence: Davenport

Experience: Deputy Clerk: 16 years