Monticello Live

Beverly Burks of Wilmar has announced that she will be a candidate for the office of Drew County Circuit Clerk in the May Democratic primary.

Burks, 47, has been employed as a deputy in the Drew County Clerk’s office for the past year. Prior to that, she served as editor of the Advance-Monticellonian for 14 years.

“I have always enjoyed being involved in my community and tried to do a good job for its citizens, first at the newspaper and now in county government,” Burks said in making her announcement. “I hope the voters of Drew County will give me the chance to continue in a public service role by electing me as circuit clerk.” The office is currently held by Sandra Erlanson, who was appointed by the quorum court on January 1, 2013, and cannot succeed herself. Erlanson’s term will end on December 31 of this year.

A 1985 honor graduate of Monticello High School, Burks received a bachelor of arts degree in English literature from Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn., in 1990. Since leaving the editor’s position in January of 2013, she has continued to to write a weekly humor column for the Advance. Burks also assists with her family’s 125-head cattle operation. Previously, Burks served as editor of the Dumas Clarion, as well as owning/operating the Copy Systems Business Center franchise located in the Walmart Supercenter from 1992-97.

“The circuit clerk’s office maintains records and prepares documents for the criminal, civil, domestic relations and juvenile courts for the county, and is responsible for recording deeds, mortgages, liens, surety bonds and other property-related orders and instruments,” Burks stated. “Those records and documents play a critical role in the life of the county’s citizens, and because of that, the circuit clerk’s office must be managed competently and professionally, and the clerk must remember that the duty of the office is to serve the public. My experiences as a journalist covering the courts system and working in county government have equipped me with the tools I will need to see that the office is run in the manner the public deserves and expects. If the voters will give me their support, I pledge that I will be worthy of their trust and the circuit clerk’s office will be run honestly, fairly and smoothly. I have experience managing a staff, juggling a variety of duties and meeting deadlines. If I am elected, the public will receive friendly, fair, prompt and efficient treatment in their interactions with my office,” Burks said.

Burks serves as church secretary and Sunday school superintendent at Wilmar United Methodist Church, and also as secretary for the Wilmar Cemetery Association. She is a life member of the Junior Auxiliary of Monticello and a former board member of the Seark Concert Association and UAM Wesley Foundation. She is a member of the Monticello Book Group and Monticello Women’s Investment Club. She is the daughter of Shirley Burks of Wilmar and the late James Burks.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to ask everyone for their vote and support,” Burks concluded. “The responsibilities of the circuit clerk – which include processing passport applications, filing DD-214 military papers and compiling panels of prospective jurors, in addition to the ones previously mentioned – are ones that I take very seriously,” said Burks. “Please give me the opportunity to serve as Drew County’s next circuit clerk. I pledge to do my very best for the office, my home county, and its citizens.”

Choose another article

Newer article: Wreck Shuts Down 425 South

Older article: Frozen Pipes? Water Damage? Call Carpet Medics Restoration Svcs.