Copiah County Clerks take top state leadership roles

By Louise Vaughn

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Angela Hester, Certified Municipal Clerk for the Town of Lakiedra Kangar, Crystal Springs Municipal Court Clerk, is

Wesson, is serving as president of the Mississippi serving as vice president of the Mississippi Municipal

Municipal Court Clerks Association. Court Clerks Association.

Two Copiah County municipal court clerks are taking their experience to the statewide level, with Wesson and Crystal Springs now represented in the top two leadership positions of the Mississippi Municipal Court Clerks Association.

Certified Municipal Clerk for the Town of Wesson Angela Hester was recently sworn in as president and will serve a two-year term. Crystal Springs Municipal Court Clerk Lakiedra Kangar was elected vice president.

For both women, the appointments are personal accomplishments and an opportunity to represent Copiah County.

"I hope that everyone else sees how important it is for us to hold these positions and know that we're going to do the best job possible to make Copiah County proud," Hester said.

Kangar said the association placing its trust in two clerks from the same county "speaks volumes."

"It speaks volumes that they entrust us both to lead them," she said.

Working their way up

Hester's municipal career began in Crystal Springs, where she started dispatching in 2004 and later became a deputy court clerk under Peggy Wilson. After an accident and several surgeries took her away from work for a period, she eventually began assisting municipal and justice court offices.

In April 2017, Hester was hired as Wesson's court clerk. Four months later, after the city clerk left, she took on additional municipal responsibilities.

"You pick yourself up, you put your big girl panties on, and you figure the thing out," Hester recalled. "I wasn't going to let them down by any means."

Hester later earned her Certified Municipal Clerk designation and is working toward the Master Municipal Clerk designation. She has been involved with the court clerks association for nine years, previously serving on its executive board and as vice president. She also serves as treasurer of the Mississippi Municipal Clerks and Collectors Association.

"I am so excited, very overwhelmed, but I'm very honored at the same time," Hester said of becoming president.

Kangar has spent approximately eighteen to nineteen years working in Crystal Springs Municipal Court. She began as a deputy court clerk under Wilson and became court clerk following Wilson's retirement. Before being elected vice president, Kangar served about four years as parliamentarian for the statewide association.

"I'm proud of starting from the bottom and looking where I'm at now," Kangar said.

A partnership already in place

Hester and Kangar's working relationship goes back years.

Hester had worked as a deputy clerk in Crystal Springs before Kangar began her career there. The women became acquainted through Wilson and municipal court conferences, and their relationship grew after Kangar became court clerk.

They regularly share information and forms and call each other when questions arise, sometimes even off the clock.

Hester calls Kangar her "right-hand person."

"She's the one I'm going to call before I call anyone else," Hester said. "Sometimes you run into different things, different issues, and we share information, we share forms, email back and forth. That's what you do as clerks. You're helping one another."

That established relationship will now continue at the statewide level.

"If I'm not there, I know that she has got me," Hester said. "She's got my back."

Kangar called working alongside Hester both an honor and a privilege.

Training the next generation

Both women say municipal and court clerks handle far more behind the scenes than many residents realize.

Hester's responsibilities in Wesson stretch across finances, payroll, human resources, grants, utilities, board matters and compliance with state law, in addition to court responsibilities.

"We are running a business, and your city clerk is the head of that business," Hester said.

Court clerks also maintain records and dockets, process assessments and payments, track court orders and keep up with changes in laws and procedures.

As they begin their new statewide roles, Hester and Kangar say training will be a major priority.

Hester said turnover among court clerks is a concern, especially when people enter the profession without enough training.

"We always want people to know that, hey, there are people here that can help you," Hester said. "Reach out to us."

Kangar particularly wants to connect with newer clerks and increase hands-on training.

"We have some clerks who have been there less than a year, some have been there less than six months, and pretty much they probably just got shoved in the position and don't know if they're coming or going," Kangar said.

"I want them to be able to trust me," she added. "I want to know their wants and their needs."

Making Copiah County proud

For both women, their work ultimately comes back to serving people.

"Public service is helping everyone," Hester said. "No matter what you do, you are out here to do what you can do to help someone's day become easier for them."

Kangar described public service as putting others first, even when dealing with challenges of her own.

"I may be having a bad day, or personal things may be going on, but I have to put that to the side and actually serve my public," she said.

Hester said reaching this stage of her career gives her an opportunity to pass along what others have taught her.

"I'm super proud of myself for the knowledge that I have learned and retained and been able to now show others and teach others," she said. "That gives me great joy."

For Kangar, the vice presidency marks another step in a career that began as a deputy clerk nearly two decades ago.

Now two Copiah County clerks who have spent years calling each other for advice, sharing information and helping each other solve problems will bring that partnership to the statewide association.

For Wesson and Crystal Springs, their appointments put two Copiah County communities together at the top of the organization. For Hester and Kangar, it is an opportunity to continue what they have already been doing for years: helping other clerks succeed.