PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson County Clerk Ruth Gordon is the 2008 Washington State Clerk of the Year.
Gordon, who has served since 2006, said she was surprised by the decision of the Washington State Association of County Clerks board of directors last month.
“This is pretty cool because I have only been in office for three and a half years,” Gordon said on Wednesday.
“Usually, you have to have been in the position for a bit longer.
“It’s a nice compliment to receive this.”
Gordon said she didn’t know what prompted the award, but felt that hard work and community involvement had something to do with it.
“I have really thrown myself into my work,” Gordon said. “I work really hard, and I take my job very seriously.
“I also join committees who are doing work that really does matter.”
Gordon serves on eight committees, including the Washington Coalition for Open Government, the Gender and Justice Commission, Board of Judicial Administration Best Practices Committee and the Jefferson County Democrats.
Gordon wondered if humor played a part in her receiving the award.
“There is a quality to being a clerk that is very serious,” she said.
“But I also try to bring a light-hearted quality to the job, and I try to make it as fun as possible.”
She also credits her staff.
“I study this job hard,” she said. “But I owe my success to the people around me.
“I am very fortunate to have such a great staff in this office.”
Gordon is attempting to get that staff a little more room.
She wants to move the clerk’s office to a larger area, on the southwest side of the ground floor of the Jefferson County Courthouse, that is now partially used by the county assessor’s office.
She pushed the idea during a meeting with the three Jefferson County commissioners on Wednesday.
“Our location now is just too tight,” she said.
“Downstairs would make for a much better location, even if we have to give up a great view to do it.”
Gordon said that, not only would moving her office downstairs create more space for her and her staff, but also it would also open space for a jury assembly area and provide a more private area for the law library – which currently shares space with the Superior Courtroom.
Gordon, whose term ends in 2010, said she isn’t declaring her candidacy yet,
“But I don’t really anticipate anything changing here,” she said. “I am starting to feel comfortable here, and I like my job.”
