To the editor:

  Edward Semonian, clerk of the Alexandria Circuit Court, has been my go-to person at the courthouse for 30 years, so I am always surprised when someone seems unsure of what the clerk election is all about. 

To me, the clerk of the court is about having an administrator and a resource to ensure everything runs smoothly at the courthouse. He assists the public as well as the courthouse professionals. Mr. Semonian does both and does it well. He has always had an open door policy and personally assists attorneys and the public in many ways. 

For more than 30 years, I have had challenging issues with recorded deeds and statute interpretations on filing requirements. Mr. Semonian has been extremely helpful in navigating the documents and the history of our records. Thirty years ago when I began researching and filing cases or land records, everything was done manually as there were only paper files. Under Mr. Semonian, much has been digitzed and only funding has limited even more progress.

Mr. Semonian’s involvement in our community does not end when he exits the courthouse. He has sworn in every city council person for the past 32 years and attends many local activities. He has served on bank boards to better our business community. He not only cares for his wife, Pat, who is a former small business owner, but he frequently checks in on one of my elderly neighbors to make sure she is cared for.

In sum, I ask that you support Mr. Semonian for clerk of the court when the polls open November 8. He is an outstanding court administrator and resource, a participating member of our community and a very good person.

– Barbara Beach, Alexandria