JESSICA BREWSTER
1. Why do you believe you are the best person for the position?
My legal career, ability to train and work with others uniquely qualify me. I have worked with our clerks daily. I understand the importance of consistency, accuracy and timeliness when processing legal documents. I can provide clerks with knowledge to perform duties to serve our community with the services deserved.
2. What would be your top priority as clerk of court starting the next term?
My top priority is to immediately correct any and all confidentiality issues with the current computer system that has disclosed sealed information. The goal would be to find a new cost effective, efficient and secure computer system that will assist in the daily operations of our judicial system.
3. Your second top priority?
My second priority is to provide in-depth training for the employees to feel confident in their daily duties to serve and assist our community. The goal would be to provide a highly trained group of deputy clerks that are dedicated and devoted to serve our community. This would promote retention.
4. What more can be done to improve efficiency for the public?
The current computer system as a whole is difficult for the general public to navigate. Most of the staff is unable to provide the knowledge and guidance to the public due to their lack of training. Both priorities will improve efficiency for our citizens. I would also appreciate the public’s input.
5. What can you do to provide protection of legal documents with more procedures in the office being handled online?
First, acknowledge there is a confidentiality problem with the current system and work to correct it. Secondly, bring back the Scanning Department. This department will read and redact confidential information prior to putting documents online. As we update computer systems, confidentiality and performance should be our main focus.
6. Bio Info:
My family and I are lifelong residents of St. Tammany Parish. I am a graduate of Covington High School, Southeastern Louisiana University, and Loyola University School of Law. For 18 years, I was an Assistant District Attorney for St. Tammany and Washington Parishes. My husband, Drew, and I own and operate a successful local elevator business that has been steadily serving the public for 19 years. I am a member of many volunteer organizations.
MELISSA HENRY
1. Why do you believe you are the best person for the position?
I have 2 decades of Administrative and Management experience. I replaced all the technology with trailblazing equipment and a superb IT department. I took office in 2016 with $4 million in reserve funds and increased it to $5.8 million. The independent State auditors have given me clean audits every year.
2. What would be your top priority as clerk of court starting the next term?
I want to implement the statewide uniform case management system I committed to November 19, 2021. The Clerk’s Association chose this management system to comply with the instructions of the LA Supreme Court. My top priority is a rapid and successful implementation of this system.
3. Your second top priority?
I want to guarantee the voters in St. Tammany Parish have confidence in the 2024 Presidential Election Results.
I have 12 years of election experience, as a commissioner & Chief Elections Officer. I will make sure we have the commissioners needed for this election… Not a time for ON-THE-JOB TRAINING.
4. What more can be done to improve efficiency for the public?
I will ensure that our technology is user friendly for public use. We implemented e-filing in 2017 and improved it in 2022. I will recruit and retain first class staff devoted to public service. I will continue to make access to our system and payment options easy to use.
5. What can you do to provide protection of legal documents with more procedures in the office being handled online?
We continue to upgrade our procedures and implement technological advances and safeguards that maintain our systems to guaranty nothing is coded improperly. We use an advanced Artificial Intelligence software to REDACT personal information. Our Savvy IT Team works directly with the State Police, FBI & GOSEP to monitor our systems.
6. Bio Info:
•Owned a mortgage company in Slidell with $40 million in annual loan revenue and managing 40 employees at 3 locations.
•Headed Land Records Department for the Clerk of Court before elected as Clerk of Court in 2015.
•Serves on Louisiana Supreme Court Judicial Council.
•Leadership St. Tammany class of 2017
•Leadership Louisiana class of 2018
•Secretary of the Louisiana Clerk’s LCRAA Board
•Steel Mimosas
•Married to Mike for 29 years with 3 children, 2 granddaughters.