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Bryan Obaugh: Seeking first term
Highland
circuit court candidates compete
BY JAMES JACENICH STAFF WRITER
 | | Bryan S. Obaugh |
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MONTEREY - "I'm not simply looking for a job, I am looking for an opportunity," said Highland County circuit court clerk candidate Bryan Obaugh. "I'm looking for an opportunity to serve, to remain involved, to seek out a career that is challenging and yet fulfilling, the opportunity to continue to be educated and the opportunity to carry on here in Highland County."
Obaugh, who currently works for his family's business, Obaugh Funeral Home, in McDowell, says he's considered seeking office for a long time. If elected, he would take over the office from his grandmother, current clerk Sue Dudley, who has served in that position for years.
"I first pondered the idea of circuit court clerk several years ago when it was first obvious that the funeral service was quickly changing and that it might only be a parttime position in Highland County one day. Acting under the advice of my father and my own knowledge, it was obvious I had to look beyond the funeral service."
Obaugh said he likes working with people and has an interest in law and the workings of the court. He feels his experience with the public is an asset he could bring to the job, and that he represents the next generation. He has an education that includes several law and management classes.
Being a funeral director, he says, has prepared him for similar responsibilities in the clerk's office. "Just as in the funeral service, the clerk's office too must be handled in a professional manner, respecting the confidentiality of those you serve and always paying close attention to detail," said Obaugh. "Also I have had the opportunity to work closely with the commonwealth in many of my day to day activities, and being licensed by the commonwealth I, just like the clerk, have to adhere to Virginia statutes. Within my current position, I handle many of the same clerical duties that occur within the clerk's office ... budgeting and accounting practices, filing and recording of legal documents to the commonwealth."
Obaugh touts his 11 years in the funeral service as the best preparation for the office of clerk. "Nothing else I could have done could have prepared me better," he said. "Yet another benefit my experience has provided me is the ability to work and coordinate a wide array of duties and many times under challenging circumstances."
While at Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in Atlanta, Ga., Obaugh took courses he said prepared him well for managerial responsibilities - accounting, communications, business law, mortuary law (which he said will benefit him in probate matters, a duty of the circuit court clerk), ethics, and business management. His financial experience includes business office responsibilities at the funeral home including payroll and, he notes, he is responsible for fiscal reporting to the commonwealth.
There are more than 800 laws that apply to the clerk's office. "The clerk is the chief operating officer over the circuit court," he said, describing duties such as being chief officer over the circuit court, public safety, court services, recording deeds, keeping election ballots, maintaining the law library, dealing with estates of the deceased, issuing licenses, being administrator for civil and criminal court cases, maintaining court files and records, preparing court orders and jury lists, and issuing summonses.
In addition, he noted, the clerk is charged with reviewing accounting practices for county audits. "The clerk is personally responsible for any errors or misappropriations found within that audit," he said. As for the most recent audit of the clerk's office, Obaugh said he knew of no discrepancies. He said the office is currently going through a close-out audit due to Dudley's impending retirement.
Obaugh said his management style would be the same in the clerk's office as it is at the funeral home. "Some say I can be meticulous and pay attention to detail," he said. "I would want to provide an office that is friendly, that is eager to serve, while at the same time fulfill all the obligations of the office. I never want to lose that personal touch due to the stress of the job. I would be a good clerk because, like at the funeral home, you have a wide array of responsibilities, under a short deadline, but you should never lose sight of getting the job done. You need to be eager and friendly to the public at all times."
Sometimes, he says, he doesn't know when to say no, and doesn't take time to slow down. And he hopes his age is not a barrier for voters. "I hope people don't judge me by my age," he added. "Those that say I might be too young say it because they don't know me. Age is irrelevant. I have worked as a professional in a field with many responsibilities. Many in my field are middle-aged men. It is not one's age; it's one's mentality (that matters)."
The clerk's office has a fulltime deputy and a part-time deputy, Obaugh said, and he sees no reason to change the staff or the personnel currently serving in those roles. "I would hope and be honored if those within the office would remain," he said. "I am a perfectionist," he added. "If elected, I acknowledge the workload in the clerk's office will be accomplished as a team. For those that work with me, I would want to treat them the way I would want to be treated. I would rather we work in the office as equals, devoid of labels. That provides for a stress-free atmosphere. It is important to note, in every professional office I have worked in, you have had the man on top. They taught me to treat others the way you want to be treated. I expect nothing less than a productive, effective office."
Obaugh said he has done a lot of research about the office. "I have spent time in preparation with my nose in a book for months on end, but there is no amount of training that could prepare you for the office other than being in the office," he said. "I have been preparing to run for this office for about two years. I have been studying the office and roles of clerk, code of Virginia, clerk's responsibilities, so I have spent substantial time in preparation."
Being Dudley's grandson, he said, is also a plus. "My grandmother has had this job since before I was born. I grew up around this job. I am no stranger to the clerk's office," he said.
He said one of the more important things he has learned is that there are so many responsibilities. "I am sure there are more responsibilities than our office ever has time to do," he said. A majority of the clerk's time is spent in court proceedings and deeds of trust, he noted. "We see the day to day operations of job, but we don't see how important the clerk's office is. At some time, you will go to the clerk's office for some reason."
Obaugh said nothing in his business or personal life would cause a conflict of interest if elected. "The clerk can't save you money on taxes - he doesn't make law, and his responsibilities are set by the commonwealth. The clerk can't choose to change protocol. He has to adhere to that policy. There is some discretion in personnel and payroll, but as far as conflict of interest, if I ever felt I was in a gray area, I would seek out protocol and follow protocol forthwith. Should I ever feel I'm crossing a line, I'll seek out advice on the proper protocol."
As for citizens' rights under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, Obaugh said the act sets protocol and standards for the release of information. "I have to follow procedure and law," he said. "The clerk's office is privileged to a vast amount of information not for public disclosure. I have had experience in confidentiality (in the funeral service). Confidentiality will be handled with the utmost importance."
Obaugh said all of the candidates for clerk are equally qualified, but he would bring his own experiences to the position. "My greatest asset and qualification is my work with the public in the funeral service," said Obaugh. "If elected, I can promise an office that is productive.
"I hope I am judged by my conduct," he added. "I am active in civic organizations. I have energy, a good grasp of computers and technology. I will remain as clerk so long as the people are willing to let me serve."
About the candidate Bryan S. Obaugh Age: 29
Lives in Monterey
Graduated from Gupton Jones College of Funeral Service, Atlanta, Ga. with an applied sciences degree (two years' classroom, two years' residency).
Obaugh is a licensed funeral director (seven years) and works at Obaugh Funeral Home in McDowell. He has 11 years experience.
Recently served as chair of the McDowell Battlefield
Advisory and Review committee and is a member of the Highland County Economic
Development Authority.
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