The Hamilton County Criminal Court Clerk’s Office held its annual Christmas decoration competition recently. The Session’s Criminal Division Clerk’s office, The State Criminal Court Clerk’s Office and the Payment Center competed against each other in a somewhat friendly competition to determine who has the best decorating skills. The clerks themselves also compete in an ugly sweatshirt competition.
This year the office themes were “Candy Land” for the Session’s Criminal Division; “Elfin Around” in the Criminal Court Clerk’s Office, and “A Jurassic Christmas” in the Payment Center. The winner gets bragging rights and they can talk “smack” for the next year. They get to display the trophy for the next year.
This year in a comeback season, the Payment Center took the trophy back from the Session’s Criminal Division.
The winner of the “tacky sweater” contest was Alyssa Maroon in Session’s Criminal Division, and Gracie Ruder of the Criminal Court Clerk’s office took runner up.
After the winners were announced, the staff was treated to a meal catered by Olive Garden. This is the tenth year for this competition. Office Directors will start planning their decorating themes as soon as tomorrow, according to Alicia Merriweather, the Session’s Division Administrator. She and Office Administrator vow to take back the trophy from Julie Ladd and the Payment Center.
Judges this year were Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp, Chattanooga City Mayor Tim Kelley, and Collegedale Mayor Morty Lloyd.
“ I appreciate my good friends, the Mayors, for taking time from their busy schedules to relax and enjoy our office and the decorations,” said Criminal Court Clerk Vince Dean. “They were really impressed by the commitment of our Clerks.”
Just before the judging started, the staff of all three offices surprised Vince with a “Family photo wall.” The employees brought photos of their families and pets and hung them on a vacant wall in the office.
“This was our way of showing Vince how much we love him,” Jason Clark, Chief of Staff stated.
An emotional Vince admitted he would probably spend a lot of time just looking at the wall. As soon as his eyes dried up.
Merry Christmas from the Hamilton County Criminal Court Clerk’s Office.
