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Germaine Touts Experience, Knowledge

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 12, 2008

Bob Germaine, 57, said if he's elected, he won't be a one-term clerk. He's been working in the office for 36 years and is Luke Brooker's chief deputy on the criminal courts side.

"I help people every day," Germaine said to the 20 people gathered in the supervisor of elections office when he announced. "I don't feel like I've done anything if I don't help someone."

Q: Why should voters select you for clerk of courts?

I have the managerial experience, working knowledge and dedication to the job that is needed to effectively manage the clerk's office. The clerk's office belongs to the people of Highlands County, and as their clerk I will provide an office of integrity and transparency, while continuing to provide courteous, efficient and professional customer service.

Q: Describe your management style and what kind of changes would you make to the office as it's currently operated?

I believe in servant-leadership and leading by example. As clerk, I will be entrusted to serve the people of Highlands County while also leading a complex organization. This is a great responsibility that requires the experience and training I have developed in my many years at the clerk's office. I will be on the job everyday, empowering my employees to do their job with confidence, competence and compassion for the people of Highlands County. I am directly involved with the current leadership of the clerk's office so I think many things are currently done well, but there are some changes that I would like to implement once I am in office. Some of these include; form an Audit Committee to maintain a system of checks and balance in government while ensuring the integrity of the audits; improve our relationships with the other constitutional officers to reduce government cost and inefficiency; run the government office like I would run a business by reducing operational costs and spending. All changes that I make will be to benefit the people of Highlands County and help save taxpayer dollars.

Q: What can the clerk of courts office do better, and what does it do well now?

We currently do many things well in the clerk's office. We strive to make customer service a top priority and that will continue while I'm clerk. The people of Highlands County will never talk to an automated phone system as long as I am clerk. They will always get a live person willing and able to help them with their needs. Under my supervision we have also had the number one rated jury management system in the state for juror usage. This means that we are very careful to the number of jurors we call in to keep Highlands County citizens at work or at home with their families. We are also continually looking for ways to reduce costs in government and "bring the court house to the people" through technology.

I believe we can do a better job in our relationships with other constitutional officers. I am currently working with many of them on various projects that are designed to streamline processes and eliminate inefficiencies, which will reduce taxpayer costs. As clerk, I will continue to develop these relationships to further reduce the burden on the taxpayer.

Q: Will citizens notice a difference in the clerk of courts office under your direction?

L.E. "Luke" Brooker has provided excellent leadership and service to the people as the current clerk of courts. We will build off our current strengths and continue to improve daily. The citizens will see a unified clerk's office that is dedicated to their needs in the courthouse and in business services provided to the Board of County Commissioners. They will see improvements in technology and a reduction in operational costs. They will see a transparent office with a clerk that will be open and honest at all times, no matter what the costs. That is my oath to the people of Highlands County.

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