Candidates cite experience as top qualification for job

By Steve Knight/reporter3@trcle.com

— With outgoing Johnson County Clerk Curtis Douglas’ Dec. 16 announcement not to seek re-election, the race became wide open.

Because there is no Democratic candidate, the primary will determine the winner of the November general election.

Burleson resident Becky Williams, who has worked in the county clerk’s office for four years, serves as the Johnson County Commissioners court clerk.

The mother of five and grandmother of five also worked 14 years as a legal secretary in the Johnson County District Attorney’s office and as a legal secretary in a Cleburne-based law firm.

She said her knowledge and experience working in those capacities has prepared her to serve as county clerk.

“I feel we need a citizen-oriented office to meet the needs of the growing cities and communities, and I have confidence in my ability to carry out the duty of the county clerk’s office,” she said.

Williams said she would like to continue ongoing projects in the county clerk’s office, such as placing records online, including commissioner court records, and adding more records for public access.

“We are adding misdemeanor court records so they can be easily retrieved,” she said.

Williams said she is already familiar with the county clerk’s responsibilities.

“I understand that in a clerk’s office, there are laws and statutes that have to be followed,” she said. “There are certain records that are closed as far as the public because of personal information on civil cases,”

She said she understands the duties and functions of each county department.

“I am familiar with the purchase process. The laws govern what you can and can’t do,” she said. “I am familiar with the budget process, because I work in commissioners court.”

Williams said her acquaintance with many people around the county and knowledge of county departments makes her uniquely qualified for the position.

“I feel that I have the respect of office personnel, other elected officials, attorneys in the community that use the clerk’s office, as well as the citizens that I meet on a daily basis,” she said. “If someone has an issue to be addressed, my office would be open to suggestions and input that would make the office run smoother and meet the needs of the public.”

She said she will be innovative, looking for ways to provide greater service and access to Johnson County citizens.

“I consider it an honor and privilege to serve the citizens of Johnson County for almost 20 years, and I look forward to serving them as county clerk,” she said.

Williams is married to husband Donnie Williams.



Richard Sikes

Cleburne resident Richard Sikes is a realtor with Keller Williams Real Estate in Burleson.

The father of four teenagers is a fifth-generation Johnson County resident and graduated from Cleburne High School.

He graduated from Tarrant County College with an associate’s degree and TCU with a bachelor’s degree.

He has also worked with title companies and was a right-of-way negotiator with El Paso Energy.

Sikes said his deep roots and business experience have prepared him for the county clerk’s duties.

“I’ve got a history of service with the community,” he said. “I have served in many different capacities in the community, and I want to continue to serve the community.”

Sikes said people want government to be managed like people would manage their own finances.

“As I go out into the public and meet people, a common thread is a disappointment with the way government expands and in many cases doesn’t use good common business sense in running county government,” he said. “I want to bring my experience in business to the county clerk’s office to try to increase efficiency.”

Sikes said that if he is elected he would look for ways to improve efficiency in the office, including operating hours.

He said he doesn’t understand why some offices are closed during lunch, while others stay open and why they close at 4:30 instead of 5 p.m.

“Would there be a way, using flex time or other kind of practice that is common in private business, where the office could stay open until 5 p.m.?” he asked. “A lot of people are working people, and they have to punch out or leave their job to come and do business with the clerk’s office. If I had to stay there by myself and run it from 4:30 p.m. until 5 p.m., that would be an option because that is a way to increase user friendliness toward the public.

Sikes said that with his experience in the oil and gas industry, he understands legal records, deeds, leases and right-of-ways.

“I have a good nuts and bolts understanding of how that process works,” he said. “I understand how the deed records work, as far as deeds of trust and warranty deeds.”

His mother, who worked in the clerk’s office in the ’70s, would sometimes take him to her workplace.

Sikes also cites his endorsements from prominent business people and  former County Clerk Joe Townes.

“I just have deep roots in this community, and that’s another reason why I want to serve this community,” he said. “It has always been a dream of mine to be involved with the clerk’s office.”

His practical business experience makes him the best candidate for the office, Sikes said.

“I am the only candidate with experience in the real world running and managing a business,” he said. “I promise that I will be looking to streamline the office and making it as efficient as possible.”

Sikes said his main goal is to put the county clerk’s records, such as marriage licenses, online — a process he hopes to bring into service within his first year in office.

Sikes is married to locally based attorney Kimberly Sikes.