Reitzell well qualified
posted Thursday, September 29th, 2011 @ 12:12 pm

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Editor:

By Louisiana State Supreme Court appointment, I served as the Administrative Judge of Monroe City Court for 19 months in 2005 and 2006. It was evident very early that the court needed to employ a qualified Clerk of Court to supervise the deputies and handle the numerous issues that occur in that office daily. Alicia Reitzell applied for this job and was hired, with the additional responsibility of Court Administrator, in July of 2005.

She began instructional sessions with deputies and organized the departments (civil, criminal and juvenile) into manageable groups with competent department heads. Ms. Reitzell did not have an easy job. Deputy clerks who made the same mistakes over and over despite her guidance could not remain employees. That was unfortunate but it also was a test of Ms. Reitzell's ability to run a Clerk's Office that would handle matters both professionally and courteously.

Another office shortcoming was the outdated and difficult to use computer software. With the concurrence of the judges, city marshal, and city prosecutor (city attorney), new software was purchased and installed over an extended period in all of these agencies. Anyone who has purchased new software for an operation such as these branches of city government knows the daily problems that arise. Ms. Reitzell worked through these issues for the clerk's office and was the "point person" for the other agencies with the software manufacturer.

Essentially, all issues regarding problems with the new software were handled through Ms. Reitzell.

Since I was perhaps in the best position to observe Ms. Reitzell's work at Monroe City Court, I believe it is incumbent upon me to state the facts and acknowledge her accomplishments. She is a candidate for Ouachita Parish Clerk of Court and has my support in the upcoming election.

Judge John R. Harrison (retired)
Monroe