Name: Roberta Cutting
Age: 52
Residence: Zephyrhills
Occupation: no response given
Political affiliation: Independent
Political experience: none
Office being sought: Pasco Clerk of Circuit Court
- Roberta Cutting
Why are you running for this office?
The current clerk, Paula O’Neil, was my inspiration to run against her. I decided to run in October and the things I have seen at the clerk’s offices brought me to where I am now. Not only that, but Paula O’Neil would not get on the phone with me or talk to me via any method, and I vow to never do that to anyone. Now that I am running, I have had time to reflect on all the positive things that I can do for the people of the county. I am 100 percent for the people!
What are your top three priorities?
1. Experience: The elected clerk only has to come to work eight days out of the whole year, which does not take much experience. With my open door policy, the people will know I am there serving them. The people in the clerk’s offices are already doing the work. The clerk just makes sure it gets done.
2. Financial records: I will bring in an outside auditor to analyze everything that comes in and goes out of the clerk’s offices to eliminate needless spending and re-channel funds more productively. I am huge on open government and public records. Nothing allowable by law will be hidden from your view!
3. Court system: The clerk’s office puts clerks in the courtrooms and monitors the evidence. While the auditor, the staff and I are analyzing the financial records, we will also analyze the evidence to make sure nothing is missing.
Why should voters choose you?
I am 100 percent for the people, and to prove that, I am giving back half of the salary to the people of the county. That is almost $70,000 a year that I am giving back to the people, which can help offset some of their tax dollars. I also have an open door policy that allows anyone to come see me and I will address any concerns they have, personally, as needed. Cutting is my name and I am cutting everything that hurts the people, including cutting corruption, cutting wasteful spending, cutting bureaucracy and cutting mistreatment of employees.
What qualifications do you bring to the job?
I have an office system technology degree and a paralegal degree that prepares me for the managerial position of clerk of court, but does that really matter? No, because all the degrees, all the awards and even all the experience in the world will not make someone work for you. The bottom line is this: The two degrees I have does nothing for the people except to show I have these degrees. What really matters is what can I do for you, the people? I have a lot of big, positive plans to implement that will benefit everyone in the county. Sure I ran my own businesses and even held a real estate license, but none of that really matters because it’s not what I have done that will make a difference, it’s what I can do to better the lives of others in the position as clerk of court.
Name: Paula S. O’Neil
Age: 55
Residence: Bayonet Point
Occupation: Pasco Clerk of Circuit Court and County Comptroller
Political affiliation: Republican
Political experience: current clerk of circuit court and county comptroller, elected in 2008
Office being sought: Pasco Clerk of Circuit Court
Why are you running for this office?
My choice to run for clerk in 2008 was because I felt I was the most qualified, and I believe I am still the most qualified person. With the responsibilities of courts, official records, county comptroller and county auditor, your clerk must have the ability to lead a strong team and safeguard county assets, records and resources. Our mission is to serve with integrity, professionalism and compassion to safeguard our customers’ interests. I have witnessed great successes within my team and anticipate many more.
What are your top three priorities?
My number one priority since my election in 2008 has been the eFuture of the Clerk and Comptroller’s Office. Since my election, we have taken many clerk responsibilities into the electronic world. The largest changes include online foreclosure sales, online jury reporting, electronic payables, electronic payroll, electronic judicial reporting, ACH interface for customers and eTickets for red light cameras. We are in the process of replacing a 1977 court case maintenance system with a next generation system and moving all court files into electronic filing. This process will enable the office to save money.
We have lost more than $4 million in funding since 2009 due to legislative cuts, despite increasing caseload and additional mandates. The only way for us to stay ahead of deadlines is to increase our technology.
Why should voters choose you?
It has been my honor to work for the citizens of Pasco for almost 25 years. Starting in 1987, I was privileged to work with the park bond referendum for the Parks and Recreation Department for six years, followed by nine years with the Community Services Department with Public Transportation, Elderly Nutrition, Social Services, Veteran Services, Animal Control, SAVE, Cooperative Extension and Soil Conservation. I was hired by the former clerk in 2002 and worked in the clerk’s office for six years before being elected in 2008.
What qualifications do you bring to the job?
Since assuming office as the elected clerk of circuit court in 2009, we have faced a lot of challenges. Our budget was cut, and we reduced staffing by more than 100 employees. Experience in the office is key to understanding and managing priorities to safeguard the public. In addition to 25 years of experience in Pasco government, I have earned a Ph.D. in management. This education has enabled me to explore options from a global perspective and redesign the organization. Experience and education are important to the management of a billion dollar budget, collaboration with elected officials and the public, and fulfilling the statutory duties of the office. I have integrity and am honored to have the privilege to serve.
