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Lois Ralston: Seeking first term
BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER
 | | Lois S. Ralston |
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MONTEREY - Lois Ralston likes what she's doing. That's the main reason she is running for clerk of the circuit court of Highland County, she said. That and she's been deputy clerk for nine years and the current clerk, Sue Dudley, is retiring. "My experience is a plus in this office," she said.
"I like working with the people of Highland County," she added. "This is an exciting job to me because you get to work with a lot of different people and the job is constantly changing. Even though the goals are still the same (preservation of records), you have to keep up with technology … Being the clerk is more responsibility, but it is the same work as the deputy. You need to meet the public in the same way; your goals are going to be the same (as clerk)."
Ralston said she used to be shy. "Not anymore," she said. "I like people."
Before coming to work for the circuit court, Ralston was deputy clerk for two years in the Staunton/ Augusta County juvenile and domestic relations. From 1992-96, she worked part-time with Judy Hupman in the combined court (general district/juvenile and domestic relations.
"Judy is an excellent teacher," said Ralston. "I got an excellent criminal and civil background from Judy Hupman."
Her other work experiences include part-time at the Gallery of Mountain Secrets and attorney Melissa Dowd's office. She also has experience at the Highland Inn; at Rockingham Mutual Insurance as an insurance agent; and more than nine years at Rockingham National Bank as, among other things, technical assistant and demand deposits accounting roles.
As deputy clerk, Ralston understands all the duties involved, including assessing fees in criminal cases, recording and collecting fees for land records, collecting probate fees and acting as receiver for certain trust funds. "There are over 800 responsibilities listed for the office of the circuit court," said Ralston. "We have to work with a financial management system, case management, court orders. There is a broad set of responsibilities. There's lots of confidential information, and lots of unique knowledge based on the judge's preferences. Each circuit court is different."
The laws that regulate the government functions of the office fall under the Supreme Court of Virginia, said Ralston. That's not the same as the Supreme Court of Appeals, she added. The clerk's office has to follow procedures established by the code of Virginia and the Supreme Court in the subpoena of witnesses, issuing capias, and summonsing witnesses, for example.
Computer knowledge is also helpful since the clerk needs to access criminal information on a state database. The office computer is also linked with the Supreme Court in Richmond. She said the state has mandated that the clerk's office make land records accessible online. "We are in the process of having our records available electronically," she said.
Ralston said she is familiar with the function of a county audit and her banking experience is a plus in this area. "We get audited up here once a year," she said. "We did good this year."
As a manager, Ralston said she would tend to be somewhat reserved and non-confrontational. "I like to think that I am not a forceful person," she said. The clerk's office has one full-time and one part-time deputy. If elected, Ralston doesn't plan any changes other than hiring a deputy to replace herself. Deputies serve at the pleasure of the circuit court clerk, she noted, adding she will consider all applicants after she is elected.
Ralston said she has nothing in her personal or business life that would create a conflict of interest.
The Virginia Freedom of Information Act affords state citizens rights to information, but there are some exceptions when it comes to the circuit court, said Ralston. "Most people don't know what is in our office," she said. "You can look up your parents' marriage license if they were married here and you can find out who your grandfather got land from in Highland. Everything in our office is public, but … military discharges are not public information; (and) juvenile appeals are sealed. Some records are sealed after a court case - a pre-sentence report is sealed after a court case. Criminal history is confidential. You can get copies of marriage licenses, but we will black out the social security number."
To prepare for the clerk's position, Ralston has been studying the budget. She will attend clerk's training mandated by the state, and she has been learning the job during her stint as deputy here and in other offices and court systems. "I've spent the last 15 years researching," she said. "Every year, little bits and pieces change. You are constantly learning."
About the candidate
• Lois Ann Showalter Ralston
• Age: 57
• Grew up in Weyer's Cave. Has lived on Strait Creek since 1985. First moved to Highland County in 1980.
• Graduated from Fort Defiance High School in 1968, then went to Madison College for one year.
• Diagnosed with breast cancer last year, had a mastectomy and chemo treatments. Now cancer free with an excellent prognosis.
• Currently deputy clerk of the circuit court of Highland County.
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