NEWS RELEASE

MINNER: WOOTTEN APPOINTED KENT CLERK OF THE PEACE

Posted: May 28, 2004

Governor Ruth Ann Minner announced Friday that she will appoint former county Register in Chancery Loretta Wooten of Felton to be clerk of the peace of Kent County.

The clerk’s position became vacant following the death of longtime Clerk of the Peace Edie Hemphill on May 4.

“Loretta Wooten has served the people of Kent County very well before, and I am quite confident that she will do so again,” Gov. Minner said. “Edie’s shoes are large ones to fill, but Loretta will do her best.”

Wootten, 61, was elected to four terms as Kent County register in chancery, beginning in 1986 and retiring in 2000. Prior to that, she served in the county Recorder of Deeds Office from 1973 to 1977 and as staff in the Register in Chancery Office from 1977 to 1986, serving as chief deputy from 1980 to 1986. A Delaware native, she is a graduate of Milford High School. She is married to V. Wayne Wootten and has two daughters and two grandchildren.

“I am so honored and grateful the governor has this much confidence in me, and I hope my service in this office will live up to Edie’s expectations,” Wootten said. “She loved the duties of this office and the people she helped marry loved her back. I look forward to doing the same thing.”

Though Hemphill’s term would not have expired until after the 2006 election, under Article III, Section 9 of the Delaware Constitution, the Kent clerk of the peace will now be on the ballot this November for a four-year term. Wootten’s appointment does not require confirmation by the Delaware State Senate.

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