Dan Jordan Seeks Re-Election
Jasper County Clerk of Superior Court Dan Jordan has announced that he is seeking a sixth term as Clerk.
Mr. Jordan was elected in 1988 and served as deputy clerk for almost three years prior to his election. He also served as magistrate judge in 1987, was a parole officer prior to that and served in the private sector for several years.
‘It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the citizens of my home county for the past 20 years. In a rapidly growing county such as ours my office has evolved from a one person operation to a six person operation,” said Mr. Jordan.
“My proudest accomplish-ment has been the reorgan-ization of the magistrate court. I call our system ‘one stop shopping’. A citizen needing to file an action or needing information from the superior, juvenile or magistrate court only needs to come to one place. This prevents them from having to search all over the courthouse for the right office.
In addition to being convenient to the public, this system helps ensure that judges and litigants are kept at a distance from each other so as not to compromise a case. Under ex parte communications laws judges are prohibited from discussing cases with litigants prior to said cases being heard in court. We go a step further and under the system I have set up, the magistrate judge does not even see the case file or have anything to do with the computer data entry on any particular case prior to court. This process ensures fairness to all parties.’
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“As a member of the courthouse building committee which supervised the new addition and renovation project, I was able to play a role in the placement of offices and courtrooms. The clerk’s office and judges offices were placed on two different floors for a reason. Litigants now know that they are not to speak with the judge regarding their case at any time before court is held. There are rare exceptions and the clerk’s office screens requests for these exceptions,” said Mr. Jordan.
“I am also pleased with my exceptional staff and the low turnover rate we have had during my current term of office. I have recently received certification by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia. I appreciate the fact that the county commissioners have voluntarily funded my participation in this recently implemented program. Through this course of study I have learned and have implemented many concepts of office management. Some of which ‘think outside the box’ and may be somewhat controversial. But they really do work and give the taxpayers the best bang for the buck.
“For instance, our magistrate judges now have the capacity to write warrants from their laptop computers at home or wherever they may be. Having been a magistrate, I know what those 3 a.m. calls are like. This system makes those calls a little less trouble for the judges. I also allow my deputy clerks to work from home under special circumstances using this technology,” according to Mr. Jordan.
“Additionally, my office policy allows for an employee who has a certain level of seniority to work four days a week for ten hours each day. Of course the office remains open five days a week for nine hours each day.
“I have implemented this and other office policies in an effort to decrease employee turnover, increase productivity and boost employee morale. About once every four years I am asked and sometimes pressured to bring my employees under county commission policies. I have always resisted this and will continue to do so as long as I feel that I have public support and as long as I feel that my office is better run than it would be under the control of the county commissioners.
“The other constitutional officers and I have regular luncheon meetings which are held at locations throughout the county. During our meetings we discuss issues affecting our fellow constitutional officers throughout the state. We also exchange ideas on office management and attempt to help each other solve issues and problems which come up during the course of performing our duties. We get along very well as a group and I hope that our spirit of cooperation will carry over to other Jasper County entities,” said Mr. Jordan.
“In the past I have run for election on a partisan ticket. However, due to the ups and downs of local partisan politics, I believe it is now best to run for re-election as an independent. This will help keep the courts out of politics. To run as an independent I must obtain the signatures of five percent of our registered voters.
“If you would like to sign my independent petition I encourage you to come to see me or call me on my cell phone at 706-318-0346. I have already obtained half of the signatures I need and would appreciate your help in obtaining the remainder.”
“Thank you for all of your support and encouragement for the past 20 years. It has been an honor to serve my county.”
