Gwen Tidwell
Age: 57
Occupation: Hamilton County Criminal Court Clerk
Residence: Signal Mountain
Years lived in Hamilton County: 57
Family: three sons
Education: Hixson High School graduate; University of Tennessee in Knoxville graduate; University of Tennessee School of Law graduate
Public Office Experience: Criminal Court clerk, 1994-present; previous Chattanooga City Court clerk; past Hamilton County Juvenile Court referee
Church or Civic Involvement: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, liturgy committee, breakfast cook, Disciple of Christ in the Community program; American Cancer Society advisory board member; chair of the American Cancer Society 2014 Relay for Life; Chattanooga Bar Association; Tennessee Bar Association; State Court Clerk’s Association; County Officials Association of Tennessee; previous board member for Kidney Association; previous member Downtown Sertoma Club
What is the biggest challenge facing the office you are seeking? How would you address it?
The Criminal Court clerk’s office is a detailed and technical job. More than 50,000 new cases are filed annually in our three criminal courts and our five criminal general sessions courts. Among the offices’ many challenges, none is more important than the careful maintenance of complex court records to ensure effective justice and safety for our community.
Every day has a different challenge, be it computer, budget, legal or personnel issue. The clerk’s office is a working job, so the clerk must be a professional and not simply a politician. Every aspect of the clerk’s office is governed by frequently changed state laws and that, along with its complex financial rules, arguably makes it one of the most complicated in local government. The clerk must not only know the laws, but she must also know their application and consequences to protect Hamilton County government from lawsuits and liability.
Why should voters choose you?
Voters should look at my 20 years of experience and accomplishments as their clerk and know that standard will continue. I run the office professionally, not politically. It is a fundamental part of our criminal justice system – higher courts, judges, attorneys, all parties to each case, and the public, deserve reliable records from the clerk’s office.
I made these records open and easily accessible so this trust is possible. The clerk’s office is required to charge fees for its services, including assessments against defendants. Prior to my election in 1994, our taxes paid for the office’s salaries. However, I am responsible to our community and its taxpayers and I manage the office so taxes no longer pay for the salaries, and haven’t done so since 2000, while I have also paid to state and county government more than $60 million which helps pay for safety and education.