Editor, The Beacon:

Please accept this letter as an endorsement of Laura Roth for Volusia Clerk of Court. As a lawyer for almost 46 years (21 of which I served as a circuit judge), I have personal knowledge of how vitally important to the community the clerk’s office is.

Laura began her career with the clerk’s office in 2004 as general counsel, and was elected as Clerk of Court in 2016. Her opponent is either stupid and has no personal knowledge of the clerk’s duties, or he is banking on the voters being ignorant and not knowing what the clerk’s office actually does.

The clerk is the keeper of records and provides staff to the various divisions of court to assist in the daily ministerial functions of the various divisions of court.

The clerk’s salary is set by statute — she cannot give herself a raise. The clerk’s office is NOT funded by any tax dollars.

Laura is a conservative public servant, and has the training, experience, education and work ethic to continue doing an excellent job.

The clerk’s office has NOTHING to do with any aspect of law enforcement or firearm ownership. Her opponent should be ashamed of himself for his totally misleading literature he has been mailing out to voters. I have much more faith in the voting public than he does.

James R. Clayton
DeLand