30-year court clerk won't say whether she'll seek another term by james JACENICH • STAFF WRITER
MONTEREY - "She loves her job, but Highland Clerk of the Court Sue Dudley said this will be her last term in office if elected this November."
That was the news in 1999, but today, the 71-year-old incumbent, with more than 30 years as circuit court clerk - longer than anyone before her and the first woman elected to the office - is not prepared to say whether this will be her last year.
"I'll let you know when I am ready," Dudley said.
She is completing her fourth consecutive eight-year term. A fifth term, if she were to complete it, would give her 40 years in office. She already meets the 30 years in place for a constitutional officer to retire.
The circuit court clerk has more than 800 tasks, including probating wills, granting administration of estates and appointing guardians. The clerk is in charge of court administration, is custodian of court records, and records deeds and marriage licenses.
Dudley works directly under the circuit court judge Thomas H. Wood and Virginia's Supreme Court.
The circuit court office has, in addition to Dudley, one full-time and one part-time assistant. Dudley earns a minimum of $70,485, and there is $161,319 allocated for the office's budget annually.
Dudley has lived in Highland since 1961. She has three children: Lisa, Gary and Chris. She is originally from Upper Tract, W.Va. and is a 1954 graduate of Franklin High School.
Before becoming circuit court clerk, she was employed by Hooke Brothers Lumber Co. for 11 years.
Dudley said she did not want to answer any questions from The Recorder about her position, or have her photo published.
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