“Everything was rearranged. We were finding things in random places,”
Original post edited to include additional information)
In an interview with Uvalde County Clerk Donna M. Williams, she recounted going into the Uvalde County Clerk’s office on January 1st, 2023 with two of her staff. She explained that she went in to assess the situation after receiving the bag of keys in such an unprofessional manner.
“I went in on January 1st, a Sunday, with two of my staff. As soon as we walked in there was a pile of trash on the floor,” Williams said. She stated she later spoke to the janitor of the building and he assured that he cleaned it and the trash wasn’t there before.
Williams recounted that after the Swearing in Ceremonies on Midnight of January 1st, 2023, she met with the County Judge and was handed a bag of keys, approximately 60 loose, unmarked, unlabeled keys.
“All 7 desks were completely empty, all filing cabinets in front office also completely empty. All computer applications, icons email accounts, and programs were deleted. Of the things that were found, all were rearranged and misplaced in boxes in the basement. We were finding things in random places,” Williams said. One example, she found the November and December 2022 purchase order books hidden in the Texas Alcohol Beverage and Commission file.
She issued the Public Notice ONLY after spending several days searching thoroughly within the office, going through all storage boxes in office and basement, and offsite storage facilities, all the while still providing other services to the public, and conducting business to the best of our ability, given the situation.
“In reference to revising the posted notice, “Why would I let people assume that we have all the tools necessary(forms) to do business and that it was something on our part that prevented us from doing business? It’s unacceptable, and should not be tolerated or accepted as the norm.”
The paper used for marriage, births and death certificates, Williams explained, is not ordinary paper but each is numbered and tracked by the State “If we void one, we have to notify the state.” She said.
“We reported the loss to the State,” Williams said. When asked what State agency she reported the loss to, she said the Department of State and Human Services or DSHS.
In responding to the “requirement” that official forms and documents with the outgoing County Clerk’s signature are to be destroyed, Williams acknowledged that in fact, some are allowed by law, to be destroyed, but there is a process that requires contacting DSHS and advising them ahead of time so they can prepare for transition of incoming clerk. According to DSHS, they were not notified. Williams said the previous administration, as do ALL elected officials, have a DUTY to leave supplies for at least 30- 60 days so the incoming officials and staff can provide services to our community.
“We have a duty to the public to leave enough supplies for at least 60 days,” Williams said, “and that process and professional courtesy has been extended to all previous clerks, including Romero, yet she failed to do so upon her exit from office.”
