Well now, every so often somebody wanders into local politics not because they need a hobby, but because retirement looked a little too quiet and they still have enough piss and vinegar left to wake up a whole courthouse.
Enter Terry Moberly.
Moberly is not cut from the usual government-template cloth. He comes out of firefighting, hospitality, operations, and the kind of business world where if you cannot solve problems, handle pressure, and deal with people without losing your mind, you do not last long. Now he is taking that background and aiming it at the Jennings County Clerk’s race.
Granny sat down with Moberly to talk about elections, records, accountability, office culture, public service, and why government ought to answer the phone like it remembers the public exists.
Here is the interview, word for word.
Granny: You are running for Jennings County Clerk, a position that requires accuracy, organization, impartiality and public trust. What do you believe is the most important responsibility of the office, and how would you make that your top priority?
Terry Moberly: My primary obligation is to perform my duties to the highest level of honesty and integrity. I believe that availability is the greatest ability for every elected position. So, making myself available is a commitment to my position. I will not promote a bunker mentality that poses obstacles to people’s needs! My background in running seven different businesses, all at the same time, each requiring their own unique performance expectations has strengthened my ability to multitask. Each of the operations I managed were all held accountable to reach their goals, budgets and profitability. Having a 20 plus year career with such a high profile brand shows the consistency of my performance and the stability that allows a business owner to sleep at night knowing that I am on point.
Granny: The County Clerk plays a central role in administering elections. What would you do to make sure local elections are run fairly, smoothly and transparently, especially at a time when many voters are skeptical of the process?
Terry Moberly: The process to achieve accurate results for an election should be made a simple, uncomplicated process for the voters! I would invite as well as encourage a public audit of the process. Over communicating with voters would be encouraged. Guiding each voter through the system would be a mandate for every public servant.
Granny: The Clerk’s office handles sensitive public records and court-related documents. How would you protect the integrity and confidentiality of those records while still making the office accessible and helpful to the public?
Terry Moberly: Every action that is required by this office will be verifiable. We are entrusted to deliver the results of the will of the people. We must own the enormous responsibility to be held accountable no matter what party is affected. The score will be the score with no outside influence. This community will believe in the results because they will believe the people that will serve them well!
Granny: This job is not just about being friendly or well-known in the community; it also demands attention to detail and a solid grasp of procedure. How would you prepare yourself to manage the technical and legal responsibilities of the office from day one?
Terry Moberly: As this will be a new role for me in the context of public office, I can assure you that I am a quick learner and will commit to educating and training myself in the areas I may not be familiar with. In my business history I had to adhere to multiple agency regulations that were required of me to learn and build my proficiency to the task. From local, city, state and federal regulations I had to provide and comply with each agency’s expectations. All the while delivering a well run profitable business.
Granny: The Clerk often has to work with judges, county officials, election workers, and members of the public who may all have different expectations. How would you handle disagreement or pressure while keeping the office professional and nonpartisan?
Terry Moberly: In my 30 plus years of running multiple, multi-million-dollar businesses, I have developed a solid grasp of conflict resolution. I have been called to work with politicians, business owners, regulatory agencies, executive management, operational management to minimum wage hourly employees. All while trying to appease the general public, i.e. customers that expect everything to be perfect. Each layer of people management measures success in many different ways that sometimes creates conflict. Trying to build a consensus that pleases everyone is not very realistic. Finding that middle ground where it becomes an acceptance that everyone walks away with a mutual consent that they ultimately just agree to disagree should be considered a win.
Granny: Public offices often struggle with delays, outdated systems, and staffing challenges. If elected, what would be your approach to improving efficiency in the Clerk’s office without sacrificing accuracy or service?
Terry Moberly: I like to implement a practice of “Go to bed with a plan; you’ll wake up with purpose” With that in mind my plan would be to demand feedback from every member of the team! By demand I mean for it to be “constructive” feedback. In the event someone sights problems, or challenges to a situation? They should bring to the conversation solutions to those challenges. Listening to the team is a 1st priority. It will translate into serving the people better. There is an old phrase in the industry that goes “The customer is always right” or “the customer comes 1st”? That is not entirely true. To the contrary in my experience the employee/staff comes first. If you do not construct your team to perform at their best? They will never be able to truly deliver an experience that that customer/voter deserves to receive. Again, we are all beholding to someone. We are beholden to the people we serve. First responders are taught that they have to take care of themselves first and foremost, because to not. would compromise the service to your team. If you are reckless on a fireground and injure yourself or worse a team mate? You have aggravated the crisis and made it worse.
Granny: If a mistake happened in your office involving an election, a court filing, or an official record, what would accountability look like under your leadership, and how would you rebuild public confidence?
Terry Moberly: Following the chain of command forward as well as backwards allows for opportunities to correct errors before they happen. Seeking guidance from others helps shape better ideas and better solutions to improve performances. Shining the light on those opportunities to improve and repair damages benefits everyone in the future to learn from those mistakes. Every mission will be required to perform a post mortem analysis on the results. In the event things worked well? Then accolades are to be provided to acknowledge such. In the event that mistakes are made? We own it. We must implement appropriate changes that will create the desired results!
Granny: Many people do not think about the County Clerk’s office until they urgently need something from it. How would you make the office more understandable and responsive for ordinary residents who may be dealing with the system for the first time?
Terry Moberly: Everyone that works in ALL public service positions need to understand that the public is our obligation and privilege to serve! Taking a page from my hospitality background, I emphasize that: Being nice costs you nothing and spreads joy and happiness to others. Providing proper answers and guidance should create a brighter enjoyable exchange with people. One priority would be to bring back proper phone etiquette practices into the office culture. Provide a human voice to address human struggles. Get rid of avoidance management culture. Put Artificial Intelligence in proper perspective. That being in a box it belongs in as a tool and managing it! Don’t let it manage you! Don’t get me wrong. A.I. has a place as TOOL to better serve. Not the replacement of people who at their core are/should be there to help!
Granny: Running a public office means serving every resident fairly, regardless of politics, personality, or background. How would you make sure your office earns a reputation for equal treatment and professionalism?
Terry Moberly: I served as a field Human Resource Officer for R.M.D. and in my experiences of dealing with owners/partners/managers/hourly employees. I have been called upon to participate in arbitration processes that are always a difficult task to negotiate. Dealing with personnel matters that sometimes-become professional matters that affect people in their personal matters. I have gained perspective from these negotiations that help me believe that the best outcome for these conflicts don’t usually end with everyone being happy about the decision. Typically, it works out to where the conflict is met with mutual disdain. Oddly enough that is usually an indicator of a good resolution.
Granny: You have had a long career in business, operations, and public-facing work, and you are now seeking public office. How do you believe your personal background and professional experience have prepared you to carry out the duties of Jennings County Clerk effectively and responsibly?
Terry Moberly: From my days as a young firefighter called upon to protect people and property all the way grinding through a 30 plus year career in the hospitality industry, a common thread is the service to others. I have always served at the behest of the general public; I see this pursuit of office in the same light. The most common denominator between either of those experiences is that I have always loved and thrived from being a part of, as well as building ‘sometimes” rag tag group of characters including myself into a cohesive unit that delivers on its mission and obligations to perform at the highest level! I enjoy lifetime friends from my past professional interactions that are the gift that keeps on giving long after I have picked up my last paycheck!!! That is priceless.
And there you have it, sugar.
Terry Moberly says he is not running to hide behind a desk, dodge the public, or turn the Clerk’s office into some paper-stuffed bunker with a bad attitude and a dead phone line. He is pitching experience, service, accountability, and the radical notion that public offices ought to actually help the public.
Now come Election Day, folks can sort out for themselves who is selling polish, who is selling smoke, and who might just show up ready to work.
Granny just asked the questions, stirred the pot a little, and left the biscuits on the table.
The voters can decide who ought to be trusted with the recipe