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Jones retires as Wood County Circuit Clerk

Ridgway appointed to position, which heads to ballot

PARKERSBURG — Longtime Wood County Circuit Clerk Carole Jones retired just before the end of the business day Friday, placing the remainder of her term on the upcoming 2020 election ballot.

At least one candidate vying to replace Jones will be Celeste Ridgway, appointed to the job Friday afternoon by Chief Wood County Circuit Court Judge J.D. Beane.

Jones retires after more than five decades in the office, serving as circuit clerk since her appointment by Judge Arthur Gustke in 1991 and re-elected every term since. Jones succeeded Juanita Coe, herself a former deputy clerk who was appointed and then elected to the job.

“It’s an office where some background in it definitely gives you an advantage, I think,” Jones said.

Ridgway has worked in the office 13 years and was serving as deputy clerk assigned to Beane’s court.

“I’m absolutely thrilled and really excited to have the appointment,” Ridgway said. “If it weren’t for her (Jones’) recommendation to the judges, I may not have been as fortunate as that. My goal would be to try to keep it running as smooth as when Carole had it.”

Beane’s appointment can last for as long as 30 days. Before that period is up, he and fellow Judges Robert Waters and Jason Wharton must appoint someone to serve in the job for the rest of the year.

Beane said he expects the other judges will agree with his choice of Ridgway.

“She’s so dedicated and gives of herself for the job,” he said. “I look forward to her serving. And I know she’s got a lot of challenges ahead as well.”

Jones has considered stepping down for a while now, something that came to public attention after she announced her intent to resign during a March 2018 County Commission meeting. She was frustrated over budget and staffing issues related to the need to digitally record and throw out old records.

But she never formally tendered her resignation.

Jones said Friday she was sorry she “lost my cool” during that meeting, but said the challenges facing her office — both in terms of dealing with past records and the current caseload — remain.

“I still feel that the salaries in this office very definitely need addressed and more improved. And our space is an issue,” she said. “It’s just become a pretty overwhelming job, actually.”

But Jones’ voice carried no anger or frustration as she spoke after stepping down. She expressed her appreciation to the judges and co-workers she’s served with over the years.

“And I definitely want to thank the voters for supporting me all those years,” she said. “I hope that they are pleased with the job that I’ve done.”

After considering possible dates and approaches to retiring for a while, Jones said the timing of the upcoming election played a part in her decision.

Also, “I thought, you know, I think I’m, I’m just ready,” she said.

Jones joined the office as a deputy clerk in June 1968 after previously working in the circuit clerk and prosecutor’s offices in her native Ritchie County. After she and her husband moved to Wood County, she worked briefly for the Wood County Board of Education before being hired as a deputy clerk.

“My whole background has pretty much been public service,” she said.

Jones expects to be back in the office in the coming weeks to take care of transitional tasks she hadn’t been able to complete while dealing with the day-to-day demands of the job.

“I hope to help make it as smooth a transition” as possible, she said.

It’s a goal shared by Ridgway.

“My goal would be to try to keep it running as smooth as when Carole had it,” she said. “We really appreciated her years and dedication of service to the office and hope that she can enjoy her retirement after so many years of service to the community.”

Beane called Jones “a dedicated public servant that gave over 50 years of her life to this office.”

“It’s a tremendous legacy, and she leaves huge shoes to be filled,” Wood County Commission President Blair Couch said. “We’re glad they appointed somebody that’s in the office, knows what’s going on.”

Beginning Tuesday, people interested in running for the circuit clerk’s position can file at the county clerk’s office in the Wood County Courthouse, County Clerk Mark Rhodes said. The courthouse is closed Monday in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com.

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