Enough is Enough: El Paso County Voters Demand Change, Part 1
I have learned a lot, running for County Clerk. I have visited over 4,000 homes throughout El Paso County, talking about my values and goals but also listening to what people have to say about local issues.
A couple of common points stand out from these brief conversations, points that have influenced what I will do in office.
(The Lack of) Service at the Clerk’s Office in El Paso County
Service: People are very annoyed with the petty inconveniences of dealing with local government — in the Clerk’s Office, but also in Regional Building, or the city police. People dislike waiting, but even more they dislike having to make several return trips. On the first visit, they are told they are missing some document. On the second, they are told that there is yet another document they need that no one told them about the first time. And on the third, they are told they didn’t need all those extra documents after all. People want consistency in information, they want to be able to know what they need in advance, so they can get it all done in one visit.
This shouldn’t be that hard. The Public Trustee Office has clear written standards for documents we need, and the guidelines needed by the general public are available on our website (attorneys can open up their copy of Colorado law for their guidelines). As a result every deputy tells customers the same thing and after one trip you know what you’ll need in the future. If we find a special case, we document that as well.
This isn’t difficult, and it can certainly be done in the Clerk’s Office. We can also help with little things like telling people what postage they will need to send in a mail-in ballot. And treating people courteously. The key is being able to understand what dealing with the office is like from the perspective of someone who doesn’t work there.
Share your story. Have a voice.
Have you had a negative experience with the County Clerk and Recorder’s Office, either with the service or inefficient practices? If so, we want to hear from you!
Leave a comment here about your experience.
