Newly-elected Criminal Court Clerk Vince Dean said he "will make it fine" despite the absence of two senior members of the office at the Courts Building.
Mr. Dean, who is leaving the House District 30 post, said he has not heard from 20-year Clerk Gwen Tidwell, who lost in Thursday's election.
Office staffers said she cleaned out her office over the weekend, including taking her name off her basement parking spot, and headed for Charleston, S.C., on vacation.
Edna Camp, the chief deputy who has worked in the office for 53 years, has been out of the office for over a month due to health issues.
Mr. Dean said on Tuesday morning he got his first tour of the office - led by Mike Griffin, one of the top administrators to Ms. Tidwell who is also expected to exit the office.
"It was my first time past the counter," Mr. Dean said.
He said he visited both the Criminal Court and General Sessions Court sides. "Everyone was very cordial," he stated.
Mr. Dean said he will likely bring in a new #2 person. Otherwise, he said, "No one has to be in fear of losing their job. There will be no mass firings. The employees should just continue doing their jobs like they are now."
He said, "I plan to do it the smart way and not with any knee-jerk reactions." He said he plans a number of one-on-one discussions with staff members in the coming weeks.