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We have had a lot of wonderful comments about the new building from first time visitors. We have even had people come to the Municipal Complex just to see where we’re at and how things are going and I do appreciate that.

The court audit was complete this month and it was very successful. The auditor and I met about three times and compiled all of the information that we needed. We did not run into any problems. All of the information was correct in Law Trak and it corresponded with the deposit slips, record books, and our receipt books.

I attended a three day class for the Municipal Association that updated the courts on information. There was a new expungement law that passed in June that leaves municipalities responsible for expungements, so that information was very essential. The courts were addressed by the department of motor vehicles about what the y expected this upcoming year and the problems that were faced this current year. The DMV addressed issues with the courts that we will need to meet with our officers about in regards to traffic tickets. We also had the opportunity to address any issues that would help the relationship between the courts and the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Now, I need to address town council about the article written in the newspaper on how we conduct our bank deposits. The issue I have is safety. I’m  not the one to get into small town politics because it is not in my job description. What is in my job description is to run the judicial system for this town adequately and safely. When I arrive there in the mornings my hope is to return home to my family just like I left. The bigger picture should have been realized before the submission of the article. Not only is safety an issue but this article has placed the town in a position of liability. If someone is hurt while transporting this money, the town will be responsible. We are in desperate times. Our lives hold no value to money to people who are desperate. There are home invasions occurring everyday in this area. I have had people curse me out, say vulgar things, and wait on me to leave the building in previous situations. Now I have the honor of going to lunch and praying that some person is not hiding in the woods waiting on me because they think that I’m going to Walterboro to the bank. Once again, my safety and the staff’s safety come first. I would hope that more thought is put in these articles before they are sent to the editor of a county read newspaper.

Dawn Boren

Cottageville Municipal Court

Clerk of Court

Phone (843) 835-8655

Fax (843) 835-8531