MOHAVE COUNTY – Presiding Judge Charles Gurtler has appointed deputy director Christina Spurlock as temporary Clerk of Mohave County Superior Court. Clerk Virlynn Tinnell is leaving the post she’s held for 22 years to take the bench next Monday to serve as Justice of the Peace for the Cerbat precinct.
Spurlock said she feels honored and blessed by the appointment. She said she has “big shoes to fill” as Tinnell exits, but knows she has solid support within the office.
“Our staff is great and we’ll work together to get the job done. I am very blessed in that regard as we have a great team to work with,” Spurlock said. She believes she’ll benefit from succession training conducted within the office.
“We’ve been talking about this for a while now, and prepping and trying to figure out all the things I can take advantage of and learn how to do,” Spurlock said. “I’ve been very privileged to have Virlynn as a mentor for almost 14 years now. I feel very prepared to move on to this role.”
While Spurlock is serving as interim clerk, Governor Doug Ducey is taking applications until May 14 before he decides who he will appoint to serve out the remainder of Tinnell’s term of office at the end of next year. Spurlock said she is applying for that appointment consideration as well, and has also filed with the county elections office to run for clerk in the 2022 election cycle.
“I already have a few (nominating) petitions circulating as we speak,” Spurlock said.
Dave Hawkins
