Clerk of Court Nancy Abbott will step down at end of year

MEDINA — In a surprising move, Medina Municipal Court Clerk Nancy Abbott has announced she will step down Dec. 31, despite three more years on her term. She said a number of factors led to her decision, foremost her age. Abbott will be 70 on her next birthday. "My future is what's important to me now," she said. "I'm not getting any younger. A wise person — someone wiser than I — once said to tell yourself when it's time to leave. Don't have someone else tell you, 'Hey Nancy, it's time to leave.' " Abbott has been municipal clerk since 2007. Early in January, the Medina County Republican Central Committee will appoint her replacement. That person will then have to run in the election to finish the last three years on her six-year term. Abbott said she's worked with two municipal judges, including Dale Chase and the current Gary Werner. She described the municipal court as a "fast paced, continually changing environment." She said she hopes she's made a positive effect on the office. "I hope that changes I have made to processes will make it a more efficient court in the future and will better serve those people who use this court," she said. Abbott said it's time for her to begin a new chapter in her life and give someone else the opportunity to serve as Medina Municipal Court Clerk. "It's just time to leave," she said. "There are a lot of things I'd like to do, and I can't do them when I'm working." The COVID-19 pandemic played a role in her departure. She said she's worked hard to keep her office healthy. The court's pretrial hearings have been online. "Some things can't be done virtually," she said. "The courts have to provide timely decisions. We have to provide good justice. If we are putting things off month after month, we're not doing our job." Abbott said she was the county's first elected clerk in the 2006 election. Before that, the clerk was appointed. Previously, she was hired by Medina County Recorder Robert Hale to bring his office into the 20th century. He became county recorder from 1997 to 2006. Abbott was also the first female trustee elected in Hinckley Township in the 1980s. She said she was dejected to see the vote on Issue 7 that prevents the city from joining in the county's courthouse project on the square. "I'm sad for the city and the county," Abbott said. "It's a great time for building. The costs are really low. This would have been a great deal for the city. "The county is going to move ahead (without the city) and do what it needs to do." The municipal court was going to move into the 1840 portion of the courthouse. "It's not big enough and not safe enough," Abbott said about the current location. Contact reporter Bob Finnan at (330) 721-4049 or rfinnan@medina-gazette.com.