In our previous articles, we looked at what Mrs. Johnson said during the 2008 campaign about getting records on line and her failure to do so.
In this article, we will look at how to get the funding for this operation.
We will again look at the SR article: “Q&A Live: Clerk of Courts candidates answer your questions” which can found in its entirety here.
Oh, I know, it cost too much money to put the records on line. Then why is Erie County the only county this size or larger that does NOT have records on line? In the same SR article, her opponent states, “…of the 32 northern counties of Ohio, only 4 counties did not have "On-Line" records. Erie County was one of them, the other 3 are small counties have a population/tax base of 38,000 or less. Surrounding Erie County, were counties having on-line records, they include Huron, Seneca, Ottawa, Crawford, Hancock etc all smaller than Erie County. The Clerk only need to get the software and tie it in with our present Court Records Management System and we will be up and running.”
Well, that shows the ineptness of her managing skills, her lack of being able to “think through” a problem; her lack of doing her job. She seems to be to involved with micro-managing her office rather than being able to take on “the BIG” responsibilities.”
A SR reader submitted this question: How would each of you go about getting the funding for putting court records on-line?
Johnson’s reply: “I would meet with the Commissioners and take a good look at my budget to see if there is any place money can be transferred (sic). As in the past, I will also meet with other Clerks to find out their strategies for finding the necessary resources.”
Her reply is vague and she can not seem to, “think outside the box.” Trying to get this job done with just using the county budget is like trying to shoot a charging lion with a paintball; it just won’t get the job done.
Mr. Schaeffer’s reply was much more detailed and thought out. “Funding for these programs is limited. Portions of court costs and fees are set aside for the Court and Clerk of Court to use for computerization, software and hardware purchase, and maintenance costs. Other funding resources may be available thru grants. The National Center for State Courts has compiled information on funding resources which may be helpful and will be researched. In addition, the Ohio Revise Code addresses the various fees which can be charged by the court and clerk and may need to be revised to determine if additional costs can be charged to the users of the court system vs the tax based county revenue fund. The biggest source may be my highest priority goal and that is to collect on the $500,000 to $700,00 the incumbent is behind on in collecting delinquent fines and court costs.”
Wow! She could even take what he said and use his ideas to get the job done, but she won’t. She would rather leave things as they are than move forward with it. She has demonstrated many times in the past, if an idea isn’t hers (no matter how good of an idea it is) she won’t use it. She only uses ideas that she herself comes up with. Well ladies and gentlemen, those ideas are very, very few, and very, very far between (pretty much non-existent).
So to summarize what we have said in these past 3 articles in this series:
1) She said that records would be on line by early 2009. It is late-February and she has not taken any action toward that goal, so we can say that is safe to assume it won’t happen by early 2009. Anyone want to take bets on mid 2009?
2) To get this job done, there needs to be funding. As long as Johnson tries to do it through her budget only, she will NEVER be able to afford it. She needs to think outside the box. She could even steal her opponents’ ideas to get the job done; but she won’t. Because she didn’t think of it, they are no good.
Considering how she operates, I’m placing my bets that the records won’t get on line until 2013; when the NEW Clerk of Courts takes office (whoever that may be). I pray to God that I am wrong. Time will tell.
For more information on this, read the SR Viewpoint on January 22, 2009, “Time to Light a Fire Under Court Clerk’s Office” found here. This op-ed pretty much says it all in a nutshell.
To you the voter I ask: Does this look like she is doing the job that she was elected by YOU THE VOTERS AND TAX PAYERS of Erie County to do?
Part 4 in this series will deal with which Ohio Counties have records on line and which do not. You will be AMAZED! ! !.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
CONTACT BARB JOHNSON
So, you've been reading things on this blog, and you are concerned at the job (or lack thereof) that Barb Johnson is doing. Or, you are concerned that she is not doing the job that you voted her into office to do (afterall, she works for US the county tax payers). Simply call or email her at the phone number or the email address in the sidebar and let her know your concerns.
Remember: we (the citizens and tax payers) are her employer - she works for US. So contact her and let her know your concerns.
Remember: we (the citizens and tax payers) are her employer - she works for US. So contact her and let her know your concerns.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
AREAS OF CONCERN 2: GETTING RECORDS ON LINE: PART 2
In our February 11, 2009 article, we looked at what Mrs. Johnson said in her SR Candidates Blog on October 14, 2008. In this article on the continuing series “Areas of Concern,” we will continue to look at Mrs. Johnson failure to get this job done.
Let us look at the SR article: “Q&A Live: Clerk of Courts candidates answer your questions” which can found in its entirety here.
The SR reader posed this question to the candidates:
“Q: What changes, if any should be put in place as to the access to public records and the public relations attitude of the staff?”
Johnson’s reply: “I will answer the last part of the question first. I am quite concerned that the attitude of my staff has been questioned! Of course, there will be complaints once in a while, but I feel that the Clerk's staff is very good with customer relations. One has only to speak to the supervisor or Barbara if there is ANY problems or concerns. Public relations is very important to me. We are here to serve the public with consideration and respect. As stated several times, a WEB service will be created early 2009. WEB SERVICE- court records online, is one of our biggest goals. Just stop and think: This is not only a giant stop for the public, but an assest (sic) to the office- will allow the clerk to handle many more mandated duties. Who would not want that.” (emphasis added by RBJFO editor).
Let’s take a look at this more closely. She said, “WEB service will be created early 2009.” Well, it’s mid February. What is Mrs. Johnson’s definition of “Early 2009?” I was in that office yesterday and I found NO EVIDENCE whatsoever of court records going on line. Furthermore, after asking several of her staff, they too had no idea when that would take place. Now perhaps Mrs. Johnson does have something in the works and being the great, “non-communicator” that she has proven to be, just has not relayed that information to her staff. But I highly doubt it.
She goes on to say, “WEB SERVICE- court records online, is one of our biggest goals. Just stop and think: This is not only a giant stop for the public, but an assest (sic) to the office- will allow the clerk to handle many more mandated duties. Who would not want that.”
That’s correct Mrs. Johnson, who wouldn’t want that. Apparently you don’t want that because it has not been done yet. YOU are the one who doesn’t want the “giant step for the public.” YOU are the one who does not want to have your staff to be able “to handle the many other mandated duties,” that your staff has not been able to do because YOU have not put the records on line yet.
To you the voter I ask: Does this look like she is doing the job that she was elected by YOU THE VOTERS AND TAX PAYERS of Erie County to do?
Part 3 in this series will deal with funding for getting the records on line.
Let us look at the SR article: “Q&A Live: Clerk of Courts candidates answer your questions” which can found in its entirety here.
The SR reader posed this question to the candidates:
“Q: What changes, if any should be put in place as to the access to public records and the public relations attitude of the staff?”
Johnson’s reply: “I will answer the last part of the question first. I am quite concerned that the attitude of my staff has been questioned! Of course, there will be complaints once in a while, but I feel that the Clerk's staff is very good with customer relations. One has only to speak to the supervisor or Barbara if there is ANY problems or concerns. Public relations is very important to me. We are here to serve the public with consideration and respect. As stated several times, a WEB service will be created early 2009. WEB SERVICE- court records online, is one of our biggest goals. Just stop and think: This is not only a giant stop for the public, but an assest (sic) to the office- will allow the clerk to handle many more mandated duties. Who would not want that.” (emphasis added by RBJFO editor).
Let’s take a look at this more closely. She said, “WEB service will be created early 2009.” Well, it’s mid February. What is Mrs. Johnson’s definition of “Early 2009?” I was in that office yesterday and I found NO EVIDENCE whatsoever of court records going on line. Furthermore, after asking several of her staff, they too had no idea when that would take place. Now perhaps Mrs. Johnson does have something in the works and being the great, “non-communicator” that she has proven to be, just has not relayed that information to her staff. But I highly doubt it.
She goes on to say, “WEB SERVICE- court records online, is one of our biggest goals. Just stop and think: This is not only a giant stop for the public, but an assest (sic) to the office- will allow the clerk to handle many more mandated duties. Who would not want that.”
That’s correct Mrs. Johnson, who wouldn’t want that. Apparently you don’t want that because it has not been done yet. YOU are the one who doesn’t want the “giant step for the public.” YOU are the one who does not want to have your staff to be able “to handle the many other mandated duties,” that your staff has not been able to do because YOU have not put the records on line yet.
To you the voter I ask: Does this look like she is doing the job that she was elected by YOU THE VOTERS AND TAX PAYERS of Erie County to do?
Part 3 in this series will deal with funding for getting the records on line.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
AREAS OF CONCERN 2: GETTING RECORDS ON LINE: PART 1
Here at RBJFO, we have no idea who will run against Mrs. Johnson in 2012. After all, that's 4 years away. However, during the 2008 campaign, some very serious "Areas of Concern" were brought to the forefront by Johnson's opponent, Steve Schaeffer. If nothing gets done in these areas, it will give Mrs. Johnson's opponent a TON of ammunition to use against her when they run against her in 2012. This includes any democrat that may run against her in the primary!
We will take each of the “Area of Concerns” and analyze them for the public to better understand each area and what has or has not been done about these 11 “Areas of Concern.” These "Areas of Concern" are all part of Johnson's quarterly Report Card that we are putting together and will begin to appear every quarter beginning the beginning of April.
The first area of concern is her attendance which we are covering every month in her monthly attendance record. So far, she has shown an improved attendance, but as we mentioned in an earlier article, it may be to the dismay of her staff. Does her office staff like the fact that she is there this much? After all, they are the ones that are there at the job day after day after day / day in and day out. Her staff know that office inside and out, forwards and backwards. And even though Barb knows little about the job (even though she has been clerk for 20 years, but she was RARELY in the office before the 2008 election, therefore, she can't know a whole lot about the office or how it operates) is she more of a hindrance because she is now there everyday?
The Second area that we would like to look at more closely is getting the "Records on Line." This is one of the BIGGEST Areas of Concerns, so we will lay this out in the next 3 parts of our multi-part series. Mrs. Johnson has had 9 years this April to get this accomplished (the COC got computers in April 2000). That is over 2 terms (9 years) to get the job done and she hasn't done it yet.
How much more time does she need?
As we all know, her attendance record in her first 20 years as clerk was dismal at best. She just wasn't in the office enough to get ANYTHING done! That explains why she hadn't accomplished that task sooner. Well, her attendance since the election has improved, so we'll see what happens.
Let's go back to 2008 election campaign and what she said about this Area of Concern(AC).
In the Sandusky Register's (SR) weekly candidates blog on October 14, 2008, they posed the following question to both candidates:
"What is the most important challenge the clerk's office faces at this time and specifically what steps would you take to address it?"
Mrs. Johnson answer to that question was this:
"The most important challenge the clerk's office faces is GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE. Good customer service includes knowing the job and doing it right. The Clerk of Courts is the "Keeper of the Records". Those records must be correctly created and made available to the public. HOW?? Although, you have been led to believe that this Clerk of Courts is not interested in "advancing" the office, I advise you of just the opposite!! WEB SERVICE - court records on line, is one of our biggest goals. Just stop and think: This is not only a giant step for the public, but an assist to the office - will allow the clerk to handle many more duties mandated by law. Who would not continue to work toward this goal!"
Find her entire blog here.
OK, Mrs. Johnson, while the first part of your answer is "flowery - powder puff, non-commital junk," you finally did say that this is "one of our biggest goals." So we assume that this is at the TOP of your list to get things done! Mrs. Johnson you are correct again in saying that, "this is not only a giant step for the public, but assist to the office - will allow the clerk to handle many more duties mandated by law. Who would not continue to work toward this goal!"
Well, Mrs. Johnson, you've had over 4 months since the election to get this job done, and so far it looks like NOTHING has been done. If this is one of your "Biggest Goals," why has nothing been done about this to date?
To you the voter I ask: Does this look like she is doing the job that she was elected by YOU THE VOTERS AND TAX PAYERS of Erie County to do?
Part 2 in this series will be what she said during the SR on line Question & Answer session. Stay tuned ladies and gentlemen, this gets even better.
We will take each of the “Area of Concerns” and analyze them for the public to better understand each area and what has or has not been done about these 11 “Areas of Concern.” These "Areas of Concern" are all part of Johnson's quarterly Report Card that we are putting together and will begin to appear every quarter beginning the beginning of April.
The first area of concern is her attendance which we are covering every month in her monthly attendance record. So far, she has shown an improved attendance, but as we mentioned in an earlier article, it may be to the dismay of her staff. Does her office staff like the fact that she is there this much? After all, they are the ones that are there at the job day after day after day / day in and day out. Her staff know that office inside and out, forwards and backwards. And even though Barb knows little about the job (even though she has been clerk for 20 years, but she was RARELY in the office before the 2008 election, therefore, she can't know a whole lot about the office or how it operates) is she more of a hindrance because she is now there everyday?
The Second area that we would like to look at more closely is getting the "Records on Line." This is one of the BIGGEST Areas of Concerns, so we will lay this out in the next 3 parts of our multi-part series. Mrs. Johnson has had 9 years this April to get this accomplished (the COC got computers in April 2000). That is over 2 terms (9 years) to get the job done and she hasn't done it yet.
How much more time does she need?
As we all know, her attendance record in her first 20 years as clerk was dismal at best. She just wasn't in the office enough to get ANYTHING done! That explains why she hadn't accomplished that task sooner. Well, her attendance since the election has improved, so we'll see what happens.
Let's go back to 2008 election campaign and what she said about this Area of Concern(AC).
In the Sandusky Register's (SR) weekly candidates blog on October 14, 2008, they posed the following question to both candidates:
"What is the most important challenge the clerk's office faces at this time and specifically what steps would you take to address it?"
Mrs. Johnson answer to that question was this:
"The most important challenge the clerk's office faces is GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE. Good customer service includes knowing the job and doing it right. The Clerk of Courts is the "Keeper of the Records". Those records must be correctly created and made available to the public. HOW?? Although, you have been led to believe that this Clerk of Courts is not interested in "advancing" the office, I advise you of just the opposite!! WEB SERVICE - court records on line, is one of our biggest goals. Just stop and think: This is not only a giant step for the public, but an assist to the office - will allow the clerk to handle many more duties mandated by law. Who would not continue to work toward this goal!"
Find her entire blog here.
OK, Mrs. Johnson, while the first part of your answer is "flowery - powder puff, non-commital junk," you finally did say that this is "one of our biggest goals." So we assume that this is at the TOP of your list to get things done! Mrs. Johnson you are correct again in saying that, "this is not only a giant step for the public, but assist to the office - will allow the clerk to handle many more duties mandated by law. Who would not continue to work toward this goal!"
Well, Mrs. Johnson, you've had over 4 months since the election to get this job done, and so far it looks like NOTHING has been done. If this is one of your "Biggest Goals," why has nothing been done about this to date?
To you the voter I ask: Does this look like she is doing the job that she was elected by YOU THE VOTERS AND TAX PAYERS of Erie County to do?
Part 2 in this series will be what she said during the SR on line Question & Answer session. Stay tuned ladies and gentlemen, this gets even better.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
COMING SOON: THE QUARTERLY REPORT CARD
Coming soon to RBJFO will be Barb Johnson's quarterly report card. The report card will cover areas of concern that came up during the election.
These areas of concern are: 1) Attendance; 2) Records on line; 3) Social Security Numbers & financial account numbers removed from hard copy case files; 4) Collection on estimated $700,000 in outstanding court costs and fines; 5) Addressing office understaffing; 6) Microfilming closed cases; 7) Improve customer relation skills of the staff; 8) Send staff to continuing Ed workshops to keep them on top of Ohio Revised Code changes; 9) Have case files properly filed away; 10) Monitoring program to keep cases from being illegally removed from the office (this goes for Mrs. Johnson too); and 11) Automated phone system.
We could have started this with the first quarter being November 2008 - January 2009. However, we will stick to the regular calendar year (and cut Mrs. Johnson a little slack) and have the first quarter start January - March 2009. Little has changed in the 11 above mentioned areas of concern; except for a "D" in attendance. So, if we had started the quarterly report card November 2008 - January 2009, Johnson would have received a failing grade
So watch for her first report card at the beginning of April.
These areas of concern are: 1) Attendance; 2) Records on line; 3) Social Security Numbers & financial account numbers removed from hard copy case files; 4) Collection on estimated $700,000 in outstanding court costs and fines; 5) Addressing office understaffing; 6) Microfilming closed cases; 7) Improve customer relation skills of the staff; 8) Send staff to continuing Ed workshops to keep them on top of Ohio Revised Code changes; 9) Have case files properly filed away; 10) Monitoring program to keep cases from being illegally removed from the office (this goes for Mrs. Johnson too); and 11) Automated phone system.
We could have started this with the first quarter being November 2008 - January 2009. However, we will stick to the regular calendar year (and cut Mrs. Johnson a little slack) and have the first quarter start January - March 2009. Little has changed in the 11 above mentioned areas of concern; except for a "D" in attendance. So, if we had started the quarterly report card November 2008 - January 2009, Johnson would have received a failing grade
So watch for her first report card at the beginning of April.
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