There will be a new clerk of court in Lenoir County. Find out whos running and more

Editor's note: The story has been updated with Clerk of Court candidate Mary Alphin's responses to the questionnaire that was received by The Free Press on Oct. 19.

Lenoir County Clerk of Superior Court Dawn Stroud announced she would not see re-election late last year because she wanted to spend more time with her family. With this, there will be a new clerk of court in Lenoir as one of three candidates is vying for the position.

Candidates Mary Alphin, Brooketah Banks and Rachel Turner will be on the November 8 ballot of voters in Lenoir County to choose who they want as their new clerk of superior court.

Banks, 40, works as Director of Operations Initiatives and Administration at Flyexlusive and is a mother to son Tyler. She received her bachelor's and master's in business administration from the University of Phoenix. She is running as a Democrat.

Turner, 33, is the mother of a daughter named Brayleigh and the wife of Capt. Brandon Turner of the Kinston Police Department. She works as a deputy clerk at the Wayne County Clerk of Court. She received her Associate Degree in General Education and is running unaffiliated.

Alphin, 62, is the current Lenoir County Assistant Superior Court Clerk and supervises 17 people in the clerk’s office. Married for 41 years to John Alphin, she is the mother of two daughters, Rebecca and Amanda and the mother-in-law to Mark Conner. Alphin has four grandchildren, Jenna, Emily, Sean and Olivia. Alphin graduated from Lenoir Community College with an Associate's Degree in Applied Science in Accounting.

With election night around the corner and early voting starting soon, the Kinston Free Press sent candidate questionnaires to those who are running in a contested race, asking what they thought the main issues were for the seat they are running for. Below are the answers from Turner, Banks and Alphin.

What is the best way for voters to contact you?

Turner: Email at rcturnerforclerk@gmail.com.

Banks: Phone at 252-939-5677, email at brooketahbanks@yahoo.com.

Alphin: malphin@embarqmail.com, phone at 252:933:9374 or Mary G. Alphin for Lenoir County Clerk of Superior Court Facebook.

What experience do you have that makes you a good candidate?

Turner: I have 11 years of experience in the clerk’s office and have worked under three different clerks’ administrations which has given me the opportunity to learn different leadership styles. I am well-trained in several divisions in the office such as criminal, domestic violence, estates and special proceedings. I have a servant’s heart and I believe that communication and being a team player are vital in this role.

Banks: In 2012, I served as deputy clerk in the Lenoir County Clerk’s Office for five years. I worked in the civil division, criminal division, and juvenile division. I served as a courtroom clerk for child support and as the courtroom clerk for juvenile delinquent and abused, neglected and dependency court. Currently, I am the director of operations and initiatives and administration for a private jet company.

Alphin: I have been a loyal and faithful public servant for over 15 years, I have provided quality service in the Lenoir County Clerk’s Office as a deputy and assistant clerk in various positions and through supervisory roles and I can be entrusted with its leadership and guidance moving forward. My experience ensures a seamless transition of leadership that allows the Lenoir County Clerk’s Office to continue operating in accordance with the mandates of the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts in an efficient, effective and professional manner to serve the people of this county. I currently have the ability to perform functions of the clerk of court’s office including but not limited to staff supervision, staff training, bookkeeper, child support, civil court, processing civil paperwork, bonds, small claims, foreclosures, upset bids, processing criminal cases, as a clerk in district and superior civil court, administer of the oath and a multitude of special proceedings. I love my job, the people I work with, and the community I work for.

What do you read to stay informed on issues?

Turner: As a current employee of the clerk’s office, the everyday tasks and duties that I perform help me stay informed on issues. The statutes and our procedures are always updating so it’s very critical that we stay up to date with the latest. I regularly attend continuing education training at the Administrative Office of the Courts and I believe that knowledge is power.

Banks: To stay informed, I read Neuse News articles, the N.C. General Assembly News and Info, Apple News app, NewsBreak app, NBC News app and CBS News app.

Alphin: In order for me to stay informed on issues, I read North Carolina Legislative updates and North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts’ updates

If elected, what would you do to stay transparent as an elected official?

Turner: Transparency creates trust and honesty between you and your community. If elected, my promise to Lenoir County is that I will be trustworthy. I will always hold myself accountable and will be available to answer the questions and concerns of the citizens. I will be open to my team’s feedback as well as the citizen's and other public officials’ feedback. There will always be open and direct communication exchanged between myself and the people around me.

Banks: To remain transparent, I will speak honestly, establish a culture that fosters relationship building, establish and remain communication channels to encourage trust and follow the policies and statutes that govern the judicial system.

Alphin: I am currently and will always be open to hearing how you feel our office is serving you, whether you share that through the open door of the clerk’s office or when you see me out in the community. Several people have already done so through visits, calls, messages, and discussions. I continue to encourage you to reach out to me.

What do you think is the most important issue for the seat you are running for, how do you want to resolve it? How has current leadership addressed the issue?

Turner: I feel that current leadership has failed to address the most important issue which is customer service and the willingness to help citizens who come into the office. There is a huge difference between giving legal advice and legal information and I want to instill that in my team. In today's world, great customer service and kindness go a long way and are easily achieved at no cost to the taxpayer. During this campaign, I have spoken to many people who would like to see a higher level of customer service from the leaders of the clerk's office.

Banks: Organizational culture and structure are the most important issues. It is my vision to improve the organizational culture and structure of the Lenoir County’s Clerk’s Office by serving as a genuine resource for the deputy and assistant deputy clerks, improving the ideal customer service experience for all people and ensuring that the clerk's office is maximizing their ability to assist the public regardless of their circumstances. I believe in discovering and capitalizing on an individual’s talent to promote professional growth in the workplace to better serve the public. The current leadership created the issue.

Alphin: This post plays a critical role in how justice is administered in Lenoir County, overseeing all clerical and record-keeping functions of the district and superior court, with jurisdiction over probate, foreclosures, guardianships, divorces, adoptions, name changes and other pre- and post-judgment remedies. I take my job very seriously and commit to providing courteous and efficient service to the citizens of Lenoir County and surrounding communities while ensuring accuracy and fairness to all as guaranteed by the rights and liberties set by the Constitution and laws of the United States and North Carolina. The current leadership has established an exemplary record of performance audits for the Lenoir County Clerk of Court’s office for the past 20 years. It is my intent to continue this legacy of excellence.

This article originally appeared on Kinston/Jones Free Press: Lenoir County Elections: Clerk of Court candidates answer questions