The Joplin Adjudication Office is situated in the far southwest quarter of Missouri, and serves a rural population that extends from Nevada to Branson. Although the cities of Joplin and Branson are changing and becoming more urban, the people and businesses served by the Joplin Office continue to reflect rural values, which place a premium on individuals (parties and attorneys) being plain spoken, and getting questions answered or cases heard by a simple telephone call.

The success of the Joplin Office is easily measured by the continuity and service of two very capable, conscientious, and dedicated public servants – Mary Metsker and Judy Richardson. Mary, who serves as the docket clerk, performs all of the functions of a full-time docket clerk and a full-time receptionist; while Judy, who serves as the court reporter, willingly performs other administrative and clerical duties as may be necessary in order to ensure the work of the office is completed in a timely, efficient and professional manner. In speaking of Mary and Judy, Administrative Law Judge Karen Fisher states, “they are models of efficiency and hard work.”

Mary Metsker joined the Joplin Adjudication Office in 1984, and is approaching 24 years of dedicated service to the State of Missouri. Two attributes commonly associated with Mary are efficient and dependable. Mary is friendly, loyal and readily available to answer questions or provide parties and attorneys with any assistance that may be required of her. Further, in most instances individuals need not submit a letter or written document request to get a question answered or a case scheduled, as Mary routinely answers questions and schedules cases through a simple telephone call directed to her. It is noteworthy that, in the year I have been with the Joplin Office, I have received many comments and words of appreciation for the way Mary conducts herself on the telephone, schedules settings, and responds to telephone inquiries and requests.

Mary and her husband, Rick, are actively involved in their church, Christ Church of Ornogo, and serve in a number of ministries. Additionally, the couple enjoy caring for two dogs (a Norwegian Elkhound, named Yukon; and Dapple Dauchsund, named Tucker) and three cats (Ralphie, Gracie, and Joe). Other hobbies and activities that Mary and Rick enjoy include swimming and gardening.

Judy Richardson joined the Joplin Adjudication Office in 1991, and is approaching 16 years of dedicated service to the State of Missouri. Judy is a professional. She is diligent and proficient in performing her court reporting duties; and she is a team player, readily making herself available to assist others in the office. Additionally, she is continuing to enhance her skills as a court reporter, as she is pioneering the use of voice reporting within the Division, and is preparing to take the Federal Court Reporter Realtime test. She a member of the Missouri Court Reporters Association, National Verbatim Reporters Association, and the United States Court Reporters Association. Judy holds several certifications in the reporting field including Certified Court Reporter for the state of Missouri, Certified Verbatim Reporter and Certificate of Merit.

Judy's hobbies include gardening, weaving and travel. Judy’s garden includes a variety of plants from native to the exotic. Interestingly, she can boast having the tallest banana plants in Newton county (20 plus feet tall). In addition, as an avid weaver, Judy operates Blue Moon Studio from her home, and presents programs and workshops on basic weaving techniques. She belongs to several weaving guilds (including Northwest Arkansas Handweavers Guild and Contemporary Handweavers of Houston), and her favorite weaving technique is a Swedish rug weave called Ripsmatta. In her free time, Judy travels. As she states, I “enjoy traveling anywhere and anytime.” In recent years, Judy’s traveling has taken her to the Netherlands, Peru, Belgium, England, and Italy.

Today, Judge Fisher and I commend Mary and Judy for their dedication and service.