DAWSONVILLE — Passport fees and fiscal responsibility topped discussions during a Thursday night political forum at Dawson County Middle School.

All 10 candidates for the Dawson County clerk of courts position vacated in March by Becky McCord participated. McCord resigned amid a criminal investigation into thousands of dollars missing from office accounts used to hold passport fees. Georgia law allows a clerk of court to keep a portion of passport revenue, but McCord is accused of taking thousands more than she was allotted.

Candidates for the office spoke Thursday of restoring the public’s trust in the office.

Candidate Eric Toal, a self-employed heavy equipment operator, said current staff members are “true and honest people.”

“Unfortunate for them they had to go through this,” he said. “If you are the one that’s elected, make sure these people have an opportunity to redeem themselves.”

“Integrity starts at the top and works its way down,” said Steve Holder, a project manager who formerly served as the city of Dawsonville’s planning director.

Merrill Rackley, a local entrepreneur, said he would implement ethical standards and a code of conduct for the clerk of courts office and its employees.

None of the candidates said they would keep passport fees for themselves but instead offered ideas on where the funds could be used to improve services.

“Everyone is anxious to get the Dawson County clerk’s office back on track,” said Carl Volk, a retired executive with a law degree. “I will institute measures to have passport fees transferred to general fund for the budgetary shortfalls.”

Justin Power, a local real estate agent, said he would turn fees over to the county to be used “to benefit the office, technology or whatever the clerk’s office needs.”

Longtime county employee Lisa Henson agreed the clerk of courts office has needs that could be met with passport fees.

“I’d put passport fees toward technology,” she said.

Technology was another a hot topic.

Doug Boyle, a career lawman who supervises court services for the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office, said advances in technology could improve productivity in the clerk of courts office, while also creating a more user-friendly office for the public.

Dawson County native Aimee Goodson said she is not running for the position as a political stepping stone, but an avenue to serve her community on the home front.

“I’ve worked for the state for 10 years in environmental health, and when this position opened, I couldn’t resist. This is my home,” she said. “I want to serve us, not the state.”

Candidate Philip Cummings cited experience as a reason he should be elected.

“As a real estate closing attorney, I have traveled to almost every clerk’s office in the state,” Cummings said. “I believe that experience has uniquely qualified me to serve that position because of the regular work with them.”

Gaye Cantrell, a local banker and longtime resident, recently completed a course in state ethics for elected officials, which she said, along with her business experience, sets her apart.

“The position will require an experienced manager. I believe I am that person,” she said. “I will use my education and business experience to make sure we give the highest quality service.”

With so many candidates, a runoff after the July 20 election is expected.

“It’s important for voters to determine who their second choice will be if their candidate doesn’t make it in the runoff,” said Clint Smith, who moderated the debate sponsored by the Dawson County Republican Party.

Dawson County Commissioner Gary Pichon was one of about 100 local voters attending the event.

He said Dawson County residents should “feel good that we have this many interested in taking and doing this job.”

“We have a large field of very interesting and very qualified folks out there, and that’s really kind of neat,” he said.