Pioneer in court records, Chips Shore, dead at 74

BRADENTON — R. B. “Chips” Shore, one of the most recognized and accomplished circuit court clerks in Florida, has died. He was 74.

First elected to the position of Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller in 1976, Shore had the longest tenure ever for any clerk in Manatee County. He had also recently filed to run for a 10th term, county officials say in a statement. Shore died at his Manatee County home.

“Chips Shore was a Manatee County institution and I can think of no one who appreciated local history more than Chips,” Manatee County Commission Chairman Betsy Benac says in the statement. “For proof of that, look at the complete facelift he brought about for the Historic Courthouse and grounds during the height of the recession. My heartfelt condolences go out to Chips' family and to all of those who loved him and loved working with him. He will be missed.”

Shore was a pioneer for electronic judicial records in Florida and nationally, officials say. A method Shore and his office developed to access online court records without compromising security, for example, was adopted statewide last year. Other technological advances on Shore's watch include e-filing and Smart Bench, a judicial application for judges to access court records.

“I am shocked and saddened to learn that Chips passed away,” County Administrator Ed Hunzeker says in the release. “He was a visionary who understood the importance of using technology to improve government transparency and accessibility. We had a great relationship and I will truly miss him.”

Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Charles Williams appointed Angelina Colonneso interim Manatee County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller. Colonneso is a staff attorney in the clerk's office. Florida Gov. Rick Scott can select a replacement prior to the 2016 election, according to county officials.