As she runs for a fifth term in office, veteran Howard County Circuit Court Clerk Margaret Rappaport views her courthouse through the eyes of a chief executive officer.
“I try to run this office like a business,” Rappaport said.
“This is a large operation, and we stress customer service. Every person that comes in is a potential customer.”
Rappaport was a judge on Howard County?s Orphans? Court from 1986 to 1990 and was first elected as the court?s clerk in 1990.
She has been re-elected three times since.
Her challenger, court reporter Leslie Cale, said she did not have time to give public information about herself for this article.
Rappaport said the difference between the two candidates is found on their resumes.
“She has no business experience whatsoever,” Rappaport said.
Among Rappaport?s accomplishments in office are racking up perfect audit scores and updating the county?s land records, licensing and computer equipment, making sure the office runs efficiently, she said.
“I maintain accuracy and efficiency in this office, and I?m here to answer any of the public?s questions,” she said.
“I have a good staff. I?ve reorganized and renovated the office ? so all the files are in one place. We did 705 weddings last year.”
But Rappaport said she most prides herself on public service.
“I?m always here, and my door is always open,” she said.
Rappaport said she considers Cale a good person, but, at the end of the day, her credentials just don?t stack up.
“She?s a very nice person, but she doesn?t have the qualifications,” Rappaport said.
Part of the Baltimore Examiner’s 2006 Election Coverage
