PRESS RELEASE BEV KENNEDY'S PLEDGE TO THE PEOPLE OF BROWARD COUNTY FOR THE Nov. 4 2008 ELECTION

I, Beverly Kennedy, pledge to greatly improve the fiscal accountability, services and customer approval of the Broward County Clerk of Court's management and operations as the new Clerk of Courts, The Clerk's services include the 17`, Circuit Court and Broward County Courts support, case maintenance management, and responsibility for all files and evidence for all Judges, Attorneys, defendants, and plaintiffs. County data reporting and the public assistance in obtaining current and important information on the web and through improved internet services are part of the Clerk of Court's very important county duties. Sharing information and services with the Public Defender's office and law enforcement agencies such as the Sheriffs office is an essential daily operation. The incumbent, Howard Forman has done a poor job in this capacity. The Clerk's responsibilities would include the collections & disbursement of all court fines, fees and traffic tickets which brings the highest revenues to the Clerk of Court's office. The authority given to the Broward Clerk of Court, by the FLCCOC.org., through a Constitutional amendment (Article 5) changed budgeting procedures statewide for the last 4 years. Yet, our Broward County Charter mandates continuing yearly disclosures and CPA audit of the budget the Broward Clerk of Courts. Incumbent Clerk Howard Forman disagrees with this mandate. Therefore the Clerk's office budgets remain missing from the Broward County budget disclosures for three years! We have verified more than $ 1 Billion dollars collected by the Clerk of Court's office in fines and fees the last three years has not been audited or even disclosed to the county or public! I will correct this and make transparent to the public how the Clerk spends its $44 Million (3 times Howard Forman has changed this amount) dollar budget each year. I promise to ask for a forensic audit on what has been kept from disclosure. The lack of fiduciary accountability and oversight under the authority of incumbent Clerk of Court Howard Forman's responsibility is wrong and unlawful.

I pledge that my plan as the new Broward Clerk of the Courts is on these reforms:

#1. to be one of the best run Courthouses in the State of Florida instead of the (67th) by retraining the 967 + employees to use the latest and best technology systems for better efficiency and service. Salaries and benefits which have been drastically cut the last two years will be improved greatly, thus raising morale and productivity of 82+ % of the Staff, who are totally dissatisfied with Howard Forman's lack of leadership and reality. Job security has been unlawfully removed for the Employees. Howard Forman's handbook makes all employees At-will employees, which violates Federal Labor Laws. I will redo the employee handbook, my expertise in Employee benefits and retirement plan legal regulations for 26 years will be very helpful to solve these serious problems. No taxpayer dollars will be used for these employee improvements!

#2 I come prepared with the solutions with my 32 years of experience by exposing the lack of oversight and transparency of the actual Clerk of Court's budget. I will make public how much was collected and where did those monies go the last 3 years by hiring a forensic auditor and CPA firm. Establishing proper oversight and accounting systems will be my first financial implementation priority.

Beverly B. Kennedv Agenda as Clerk of Courts

•Immediately upon taking office in January 2009, my agenda includes reform of the Clerk of Court's internet website through the use of innovative technology. Adding electronic filing for lawyers and law firms for all Court Divisions within two years, and pro se litigants is part of the three year plan. Many updating improvements will be implemented including automated customer systems as well as expanded e-systems to facilitate record sharing and collections with other county and state agencies. This cause and effect will be a faster result in getting restraining orders in Domestic violence cases! Allowing credit card payments on the Clerk's Web for child support will speed up the process helping single moms take care of their children.

•More resident and visitor services with valuable & useful information will be available online and in the lobbies of all Courthouses of Broward County. *I have a Commitment from The Public Service Commission Govt. Director that they will set up direct communications in our courthouses to help resolve problems of consumers concerning utility and phone bill disputes.

*The law library will be better utilized, and have additional services available for the sole-practitioner lawyers and residents. New laws that are tremendously valuable to residents and potential buyers of Condominiums will have the new law H.B.995, updating State Statute718 effective Oct. I, 2008 will be available online and hard copies available in lobbies of all Courthouses, city halls and senior centers, published thru the Broward Clerk of Court's office implemented by Beverly Kennedy as Clerk of Courts.

*Applications for Public Defender, legal aid assistance or filing fee& copy fee assistance will be available online or in hard copy conveniently in our lobbies. These improvements will help insure equal access for all

I commit to implement a strategic plan that supports total quality management by delivering greater efficiency and teamwork, and sharing revenues and resources thus saving tax payer dollar by cutting down wasteful duplication. The Clerk of the Courts' Office will provide optimum mutual benefits to the legal community, Judicial professionals, and the people of Broward County and South Florida by improving and sharing communications and supportive services whenever possible to the following:

Judges of the 17 Circuit and Broward County Courts. State Attorney's office and Public Defender's Office. Sheriffs Office and all Municipal law enforcement offices in our County and State. Lawyers, Law firms, and Pro se litigants (people representing themselves).

The Disabled and seniors, who are summoned to any of the four (4) Courthouses, Also, victims of violent crime or threat, victims of child abuse and unpaid child support, and victims of domestic abuse, including the incapacitated and elderly suspected victims of physical, financial and fraud abuse.

I vow to work very closely as a Council member of the Florida Clerk of Courts Operations Corporation (FLCCOC.org) to recover the $10 Million dollars that was unfortunately returned to that Public Corporation ,Tallahassee, Florida by the incumbent, Howard Forman, instead of properly paying a living wage, incentive pay and training for his 967 + employees. Howard Forman is Chairman of that Public Corporation!

I pledge to be the guardian of justice and help protect the Constitutional rights of all people, including employees, staff, Judges, Bailiffs, and Jurors who enter the halls of the Broward courthouses. " The delivery of courteous, professional, high quality services regardless of political affiliation, registered or not, citizen or not; employee or not. "Everyone, regardless of diversity, religious belief, party or language will be treated with respect and their safety assured and their democratic rights protected."

I, Beverly B. Kennedy, a resident of Broward County for 32 years and with no party affiliation,. I solemnly swear to serve as Clerk of the Courts for no more than 2 terms; so help me, GOD

Beverly B. Kennedy, October 26th, 2008