People make the difference

 

Dale Agnew (holding plaque) with Goochland supervisors

The Hon. Dale W. Agnew retired as Clerk of the Goochland Circuit Court effective December 31, 2022. Her forty years of service to the citizens of Goochland was recognized by the Board of Supervisors at its January 3 meeting. Amanda Adams was sworn in as Clerk to serve the remainder of Agnew’s term.

Jonathan Lyle, who rarely misses an opportunity to speak during citizen comment, remarked that while Goochland County has a land area of about 280 square miles, but what makes it remarkable are its people. He commended Agnew for her four decades of service.

Before being elected as Clerk of the Court, Agnew served a 32-year apprenticeship in the clerk’s office, becoming familiar with the more than 800 sections of the Code of Virginia that govern the functions of the clerk’s office.

She was responsible for decades of spotless departmental audits and meticulous attention to detail to ensure accurate recordation of public documents ranging from deeds to marriage licenses and court proceedings. The Clerk is the probate judge for the county; issues marriage licenses; certifies people to perform marriages; issues concealed carry permits; and records deeds among many other functions.

The Clerk is responsible for administration of court records, preparation of orders on the instruction of the judge, and swearing in jurors. These records include historic documents. Goochland is not a “burned county” because, unlike some other jurisdictions in the Commonwealth, our court records were not sent to Richmond for safekeeping during the civil war and destroyed by the 1865 fire.

Agnew secured grant funding for the preservation of these archival documents and digitization of other vital records. She advocated for higher salary for her staff to attract and retain high quality employees.

Agnew said that leaving her post was bittersweet, but she leaves the clerk’s office in the good hands of a well-trained intelligent staff who use true servants’ hearts in service to the community.

Goochland is blessed to have had the service of Dale Agnew overseeing this important governmental function. May her next chapter be filled with all good things.