BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — Martin County Circuit Clerk Denise Gauze and staff coped with no air conditioning since early May, forcing early closures when temperatures became unbearable. 

“It’s been miserable,” Gauze said. “But these girls have been troopers. They’ve worked through the heat with sweat running down their backs, down their legs. They’ve worked really hard.”

Most days, Gauze has tried to keep the office open until 2 p.m.

“Once it got to 88, 90, 91, then we closed around 11 a.m. because it was just too hot,” said Gauze.

On Monday, the clerk had fans blowing and windows open as she awaited repairs of the air conditioning unit.

“They’re supposed to do it today,” she said. “To everyone affected by the inconvenience, thank you for your patience.”

Repairs were finished by closing time Monday.