Interim Circuit Court Clerk Pam M. Venerable will run unopposed in November to fill the remaining two years of former Circuit Court Clerk Gail Davis Jeffers' term of office. Jeffers retired on June 30.
After Jeffers announced her retirement this spring, Venerable was appointed Interim Circuit Court Clerk on May 21 by the Greene County Commission, to serve until the Nov. 6 countywide General Election.
Venerable was then chosen July 30 by the Greene County Republican Party as its candidate for Circuit Court clerk at a political convention/caucus.
The convention/caucus was held for the purpose "of providing the public with an opportunity to have input in selecting a Republican nominee for Circuit Court clerk for the Nov. 6 general election," Convention Chairman Brett Purgason said in a news release.
No one filed to oppose Venerable in the General Election by the deadline at noon Thursday, said Donna Burgner, Greene County Administrator of Elections.
NOMINATED BY JEFFERS
The convention/caucus was held at the EastView Recreation Center on Bernard Avenue.
The floor was opened for nominations.
Jeffers made the first and only nomination of the night, Purgason said.
Purgason said that, in her introduction, Jeffers said that Venerable had served in the Circuit Court Cerk's office for 18 years as her chief deputy clerk.
Jeffers said that Venerable has a total of 26 years in the legal field, with the Child Support Enforcement Division of the District Attorney General's Office, and as a deputy clerk in the Circuit Court Clerk's office.
Jeffers noted that Venerable was a life-long Republican and had the experience to run the office efficiently and professionally, the news release said.
The retired clerk said she was "proud and honored" to nominate Venerable to be placed on the Republican ballot. Greene County Trustee Dan Walker seconded the nomination.
CHOSEN BY ACCLAMATION
After Venerable was nominated, other nominations were called for three times.
After the third call was given and no other nominations were made, Lloyd "Hoot" Bowers made a motion that the nominations cease and the nominee be elected by acclamation, Purgason said.
"The vote was taken by asking for voters to stand who wished to vote for Ms. Venerable. The entire crowd of 125 people stood to be counted," the release said.
'BIG SHOES TO FILL'
Venerable, 59, of 104 Summit Drive, accepted the nomination and thanked the executive board, the convention committee, and all who had turned out to support her.
She also thanked Jeffers "for her kind words, her faith in her, and her nomination," the news release said.
Venerable added that she knew "she had big shoes to fill and asked for everyone's vote and support in the November election," the news release added.
Party Chairman Wayne Bettis closed the convention by urging those in attendance to support Venerable in the November election.
