Janice A. Butler, Cocke County Clerk is announcing that she is seeking re-election to the Office of Cocke County Clerk.

Butler has served as Cocke County Clerk since 1994.  She worked as a deputy clerk for several years before she became County Clerk.

Accomplishments in the Clerks Office during Butler's tenure are many.  The Office has become fully automated. The Office has generated thousands of dollars in revenue by issuing Motor Vehicle Titles locally getting them to customers within ten days. 

When the State closed the Driver License Office in Cocke County mandating that Cocke citizens had to travel to another county to replace or renew driver license Butler brought the driver license program to the Clerks Office.  Since it opened the Clerk's Office has renewed or replaced 27,519 driver licenses.  Revenue collected for Cocke County is $108,636.00. This money comes from the $4.00 local fee that became law in August of 2004.   Cocke County citizens do not have to drive to another County Driver License station and wait for hours.  All the fees remain in Cocke County.

When a problem arose with the Septic Tank program Butler agreed to accept Septic Tank Applications in the Clerks Office.  Since that program began in February 2007, 892 applications have been accepted through the Clerks Office.  Revenue generated for Cocke County for this program is $10,403.25.

Clerk Butler and her staff administer the rafting program for the County.  1,443,052 customers have floated the Pigeon River since 1995 generating over $2,444,188.00 for Cocke County.  This is one of the largest functions in the Clerks Office.  It requires a lot of knowledge and attention to detail.

The Clerks Office maintains the County Legislative Body minutes, all Beer Board work and minutes along with the largest function, which of course is Motor Vehicle.  There are dozens of other functions the Clerks Office oversees daily.

One of my proudest accomplishments in my tenure as County Clerk is the success of the Tennessee County Clerks Organ Donor Awareness Foundation.  Butler has served for years as chairman of this prestigious Foundation. She has led Cocke County to be Number One in the State out of all 95 Counties in percentage of donations. All the money collected goes to educate donors so that those in need will have help if they need it.

Butler has served in many official capacities in the State Tennessee County Clerks Association. She was voted by the other clerks in the State as County Clerk of the year in Tennessee in 2004.

Butler is a Cocke County Republican.  She is a member of Order of Eastern Star #461 and a member of West End Baptist Church. Butler also serves as secretary for the Cocke County Records Commission.  She also serves on the Board of the County Officials of Tennessee Association and serves on many State Clerk committees.

Butler lives in the third civil district in Cocke County.  She has a daughter Cindi L. Loveday who is married to Randy Loveday, and two grandchildren 10 year old Logan MacKenzie Loveday, and 4 year old Bryce McKinley Loveday.  Butler is also the special aunt of Toran Hedgepath, and Lesley Hedgepath.  Butler's parents are Della McNabb and the late Connie McNabb of Newport.  Butler is one of eight children, including brothers Jimmy McNabb, Jerry McNabb, the late Jeff McNabb, and sisters Judy Wiley, Jane Pullum, Jackye Hill and Jenny Gray.  Her grandparents are the late Walter and Mary O'Dell Murr and the late Garney and Mary McNabb.

Butler attended Edgemont Elementary School, then graduated from Cocke County High school.  Butler was the first Cocke County elected official who earned designation as a certified Public Administrator through the University of Tennessee County Officials Training Program. She said, "I am recertified yearly.  I feel it is very important for officials to receive training to stay updated on the ever changing laws in the State."

"I have a wonderful staff who are well trained and very knowledgeable.  We work hard every day to make sure we know all the State and federal laws and regulations and then we make sure we abide by them.

"My staff is Chief Deputy Clerk Jan Brockwell, Secretary and Deputy Clerk Charlene Johnson, Motor Vehicle Title and Hotel Motel Tax Clerk Lydia Shelton, Motor Vehicle Renewals, Driver License and Groundwater permit Clerk, Nicole Wiley, Motor Vehicle Deputy Clerks, Carla Nelson, Tracy Large, Dianne Bates, Rafting Clerk, Shalee Benson, Driver License, Groundwater Permits and Rafting Clerk, Lesley Hedgepath and Part-time Driver License and Groundwater Permits Clerk, Gary Hagerman.

"All the work I do cannot be done sitting behind my desk six days a week. I attend many, many meetings each month in East and Middle Tennessee to make sure Cocke County stays current on the ever-changing requirements.By doing that and with lots of credit for my great staff, the Cocke County Clerks Office has the reputation of being one of the best in Tennessee.

"I love being Cocke County Clerk.  I have always loved to work and I thrive on paperwork and deadlines. Because of that I have been very successful in my work for the Citizens of Cocke County.

"The Clerks Office is open six days a week except for holidays for County employees. I manage the schedule in the Clerks Office without the taxpayers ever paying over-time.  This saves a lot of money for the County.

"I would appreciate the vote of all citizens so I can continue the great work going on in the Clerk's Office. I have more experience in performing all the functions of this Office than anyone in Cocke County. I am continually updating my training to keep the Cocke County Clerk's office known as one of the best in Tennessee," said Butler.

"I also have tremendous knowledge of the Cocke County Government since I have worked for years with the County Legislative Body and maintained all their records. I am familiar with budgeting and all the things that must be done after budgets are approved by the County Legislative Body."

 "My audits for the past 12 years have shown accurate and efficient performance in all areas of the Clerk's Office," said she added.

"To put a person with no experience into this busy, demanding office would be devastating to the people of  Cocke County.  I pledge to continue to work hard as I always have for you," said Butler, adding "I would appreciate your vote and support in the May Republican Primary.  I am always available in the Clerk's Office if you have any questions."