Letters to the editor

Dear Publisher & Editor,

In response to the opinion column in last week's paper regarding the Republican candidate forum, I'd like to make some clarifications. I would encourage each of you to watch the live broadcast of the forum to hear for yourself what exactly "access" means to me.

When explaining this at the forum, I mentioned education for the general public. In my experience, the average citizen doesn't utilize the county clerk's office very often. The reason very well may be that there just isn't an everyday need for it tmtil you have some major life event, such as a birth, death or marriage. Another reason I believe may be is that many don't realize what they have available to them. It's a wonderful resource that few truly understand. I'd like to help anyone who wants to know how to access the information they want or need. It's great that it's all online, but there's nothing quite like being able to walk in and talk to someone when you don't know where to begin, especially for those that may not be computer savvy. That is accessibility for all .

Let's talk about those life events again. What about buying or selling a house? Or maybe a mineral lease on your property? Maybe you don't directly use the county clerk's office, but those service industries that help you accomplish those tasks use the office very often. As an experienced realtor, I do know the repercussions of not being able to record a deed on the day of closing, particularly before a long holiday. If the deed can't be recorded, which must be done while someone is at the office, the title company can't close on the transaction until the next business day. If you're buying a house and think you' II be able to get the keys on a Friday but find out you must wait until Monday, what would you do in that instance? Regular business hours for the county clerks' office isn't so much a "generational thing" as it is a professional thing.

What do regular business hours look like for this office? Well, simply put, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Simple if you ask me. I never mentioned any extended hours, nor would I expect anyone at the office to stay later than necessary. As for me, ifl received a call from someone or a title company that really needed something in person but couldn't be there until a little past 5, that's understandable occasionally, and I will always try my best to accommodate. Things don't always go as planned, and we all need a little grace at times.

These typical hours wouldn't affect the taxpayers much if at all other than offering more convenience. The budget for each office is set ahead of time, and the hours for the office is set by the elected official. That sounds awesome to be able to set your own hours, but I view any elected office as a public service position, not an invitation to come and go as you please. I have spoken directly to many employees in the industries that utilize the county clerk's office regularly, as well as many citizens who do not have a regular need to access documents, and the most common issue mentioned across the board has been hours and access. I would encourage everyone to do the same and speak with those that know firsthand.

Please do just that, your own research. An opinion column is great entertainment, but it is just thatopinion and entertainment. The vast majority of those I've met while campaigning have been wonderful and welcoming to my ideas. That is what I love about our close-knit Grimes County, we' re small but we're warm-hearted. I've had such an outpouring of love and support from everyone that the only way T can think of to describe it is humbling. Thank you, Grimes County.

Thank you,

Britney Husfeld, R ealtor

For Grimes County Clerk