By Natalie Covher
David Stamey was sworn in as the Clerk of Court for the 10th Judicial District Court of Louisiana Thursday, June 30 at the Natchitoches Parish Courthouse. He is now the 12th Clerk since records began in the 1800s. David’s brother Joe Stamey led the ceremony, Truman Maynard led the Pledge of Allegiance and Doug de Graffenried led the invocation.
“Thank you for being here today on the eve of the weekend that Louie Bernard gets to look forward to sleeping in for the first time in years,” said Joe.
President of the Natchitoches Bar Association Richard de Vargus presented outgoing Clerk of Court, Louie Bernard with plaque commemorating his 24 years of service.
“I always hoped to God that I would be able to stay here in Natchitoches, raise my family and work a job that has meaning to it,” said Bernard. “I’ve never come to work a day in my life dreading it. I owe the people more than I can pay them. When you know you’re leaving your position in good hands it means a lot. It’s been the kind of transition a transition is supposed to be. Working with David has been great.”
Bernard swore Stamey into office on Stamey’s grandmother’s Bible.
Stamey thanked family and friends for getting him through the election.
“The first group I visited was the toughest, the coffee club,” said Stamey. “They gave me great free advice but it sometimes took two cups of coffee to choke it down. Really though, it was some of the best time spent.”
Stamey acknowledged that today was Louie Bernard’s, Linda Cockrell’s and Machelle Dowden’s last day and that the office would be losing 100 years of combined experience. He praised the office for preparing for the transition by cross training and delegating new duties.
“I’m thrilled to have had eight months to be coached up,” said Stamey. “My training included two Clerk Association meetings in Baton Rouge. Since Clerk offices run on self-generated funds a common theme from parishes our size is that they are barely making it. Thanks to Louie’s diligence, we are fiscally sound with a good reserve.”
Stamey spoke to the credentials of each staff member he will be working with and named Faye Jenkins as the Chief Deputy Clerk.
“I plan on building on the solid ground Louie left us,” said Stamey.
