THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 29, 1995 TAG: 9510280109
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY ANGELITA PLEMMER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines
WHEN WALTER M. ``SQUARE'' EDMONDS first entered the clerk's office 25 years ago, fines were handwritten in a composition book and clerks still used typewriters.
Now, his office boasts a complete microfilming system, computers that are linked to the Division of Motor Vehicles, a new sprinkler system and a burglary alarm.
``We've been in step with the times,'' Edmonds said. ``The people of Portsmouth have their records well protected.''
Since he was elected to office more than two decades ago, Edmonds said his expertise and experience have grown to help improve record-keeping for citizens.
``It's close to 5,000 sections of the code of Virginia that the clerk must follow, and that number increases every time the General Assembly meets,'' Edmonds said. ``It's a job that can't be learned through on-the-job training.''
For voters on Nov. 7, that may be one of the biggest issues up for debate - experience versus new blood - as Edmonds prepares to square off with Republican challenger George E. Talbot Jr. Talbot, an attorney, is the first Republican opposition Edmonds has had since he first took office.
During the June 13 Democratic primary, Edmonds, 61, edged by challenger Cynthia Morrison. He defeated Morrison, wife of Circuit Court Judge Johnny Morrison, by a 4.6 percent margin.
Now, Edmonds has been busy fending off criticisms of inefficiency, outdated technology and poor cross-training of employees.
``I think I'm a better administrator of personnel than George would be,'' Edmonds said. ``It would be difficult never having managed 22 (employees) . .
Edmonds also said that in spite of an increasing workload as the number of criminal and civil cases increases, he has maintained primarily the same number of employees and successfully avoided any backlog through cross-training.
``When I first came, there was no cross-training of employees,'' Edmonds said. ``Now I've got two or three people that can do those chores when someone is missing and do them very effectively.''
In addition to his experience and managerial skills, Edmonds also boasts name recognition.
``I enjoy it,'' Edmonds said, ``just meeting the people, and it's something new every day.
``It's just different faces, different names, different offenses and different situations that I enjoy,'' he said, as well as ``rubbing elbows with some of the best attorneys in the Tidewater area.''
Edmonds began actively campaigning in January, using mass mailings and volunteers to assist with a large phone bank.
While he has been unable to take his platform door to door as a result of a foot ailment, he has appeared at many civic league meetings and other public forums.
``I don't think the public basically knows what the clerk's office does,'' Edmonds said. ``They seldom come in there.''
But members of the public soon realize how important the clerk's office is when they need to record a deed, file discharge papers, file divorce or civil suits, obtain a marriage license or probate a will.
In addition, the clerk must be familiar with all of the necessary fees for those services.
``Today it's highly technical and specialized,'' Edmonds said. ``The day of the politician, the political clerk is gone, if you don't have the experience and you're not up to date with technology.''
Portsmouth is now one of three cities in the state that has been selected to participate in a pilot program with the Division of Motor Vehicles. The office can now immediately notify the agency of delinquent court fines that can result in the suspension of a driver's license by the DMV. They are also linked to other law enforcement and other public agencies to ensure fine collections.
Edmonds also emphasized his good working relationship with the city's state legislators, whom he actively lobbies for changes in law that can affect the length of time documents are stored in his office, how they're prepared and other guidelines.
``I'm not saying that no one can do my job,'' Edmonds said. ``I'm just saying that I can do it better than any candidate that's been out there.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARK MITCHELL
KEYWORDS: PROFILE ELECTION CANDIDATE PORTSMOUTH CLERK OF COURT by CNB