Wolfe latest to run for Circuit Court Clerk
CRAIG COUNTY – Now there are four running for the Craig County Circuit Court Clerk’s job.
Betty H. Wolfe is the latest to throw her hat into the ring for the Nov. 2 election. She is running for the seat currently held by Sharon Braden, who was deputy clerk and stepped up to the job when Peggy Bostic retired Dec. 31.
Braden is running for the seat, as well as Danielle H. Snider, who is Deputy Commissioner of the Revenue in Craig County, and Sharon Oliver, who ran a close race against Bostic for the clerk’s position three years ago.
The candidates are running to fill the five years remaining on Bostic’s eight-year term. The position currently has an annual salary of $73,304 as set by the Virginia Compensation Board.
Wolfe has qualified as a candidate by filing with the Craig County registrar’s office, including the required number of signatures of registered voters. Wolfe is a Craig County native and graduate of New Castle High School where she was valedictorian of the Class of 1982. She lives in the Craig City area of New Castle with her husband, Danny Wolfe.
In a press release announcing her candidacy, 45-year-old Wolfe emphasized “integrity, honesty and commitment, my values I have upheld during my service at the Craig-New Castle Public Service Authority.”
For the past 24 years, she has been executive secretary of the authority. Her duties include receptionist, managing Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable and administration of the payroll, she said. Wolfe said her experiences, as well as being responsible for the monthly public water and sewer billing, compiling monthly, quarterly and yearly reports, fiscal year budgets, records keeping and other duties, have prepared her for the many duties of the clerk of court’s job.
Wolfe added that she has been an integral part of the grant-drafting process in instrumental in obtaining grants for the PSA that total more than $300,000.
“I would like to continue my commitment to the people of Craig County,” she said, in explaining why she is running for Circuit Court Clerk. “I realize that this is an important position of service to the residents of Craig County and I will serve them to the best of my ability. If given the opportunity to serve the people of Craig County, I will strive to maintain open and honest lines of communication and will apply the policies in a fair and equal manner to all concerned.”
To prepare herself for the clerk’s position, which involves a great deal of interaction with the courts and legal process, Wolfe is currently enrolled in an online program through Ashworth College of Paralegal studies, she said, pursuing a diploma in Paralegal Studies with a concentration in wills and estates.
She graduated in 1984 from Virginia Western Community College with an associate’s degree in computer science technology, after majoring in computer programming with a concentration in accounting.
Wolfe has two children, Elaina Carper of Salem and Brandon Wolfe of New Castle, and two stepchildren, Donna Walton of Clifton Forge and Henry Wolfe of Culpepper, as well as two step-grandchildren, Kaylyn and Jacklyn Walton.
In her leisure time, Wolfe, who previously assisted with teams at the high school, enjoys attending fast-pitch softball games, and spending time with family. She said she is setting up a website, www.BettyHWolfe.com. Her e-mail address also reflects her desire to be clerk: bettywolfeclerkofcourt@tds.net.
