Clerk / Register of Deeds Combination? and more on Alward Lake
The hearing in Clinton County on Wednesday night went well.
A large number of people turned out and there was testimony from a diverse group of citizens, title companies, Registers and Clerk/Registers, real estate agents, local assessors, and county officials. There was no evidence
presented that combination was positive.
Many provided compelling evidence that it was not in the best interests (financial or otherwise) of the county and many were concerned about the risks to service and performance. Many also were concerned about the loss of an elected official.
All but one person opposed the combination and urged the board not to proceed. The one person who seemed to express some favor was our County Clerk.
The board will vote at its regular meeting on Tuesday March 27, 2012, 9:00 a.m. on the matter.
Michelle Wilsey
Clinton County Register of Deeds
I am unable to attend tonight’s special board meeting. However, I wish to express my dismay at the thought of combining the Clerk and Register of Deed offices.
My major concern is the loss of another elected official position. Already this year Clinton County, through state politics, has lost the elected District Judge position. Combining the Clerk and Register offices means the loss of another elected official.
Administrative and political money saving efforts do not take into account the will of the voting public. In the short run a bit of money may be saved. But our county will suffer in the long run. Each office deserves to be run by an official that is solely dedicated to the task of their office, running it efficiently, fairly and for the good of all the County’s citizens.
Where does the effort to save money rob the citizenry of fair representation? Should we combine districts and have only 5 county commissioners in an effort to save dollars? Should the treasurer’s office be rolled into the administrative accounting department? The Sheriff’s department run by the Prosecutor?
Often there may be services that overlap, but the system was designed with checks and balances in mind. Once you lose those checks and balances which are governed by a vote, you begin to lose the framework of our government. Clinton County for years has run an efficient, effective county government – and county government is where the people’s voice is heard and lives most affected.
I am encouraging the Board of Commissioners to retain two separate offices. I am hoping all other department heads and elected officials will express the same to the Board.
Sincerely,
Jane A. Clarke
65A District Court
Magistrate/Court Administrator
More about Alward Lake
I enjoyed your article about Alward Lake. When I was about 14 years old I worked one summer for Willie St. Clair. His son Lynn and I worked in the picnic area cleaning up the place after the weekend crowd.
We picked up the weekend trash, cut the grass, cleaned boats and the bath house. On the weekends we worked in the snack bar. Willie had only one lung and walked with a tilt to one side. His one vise that I know of was chewing tobacco. He didn’t want his family to know this and one time he spotted his sister coming towards him and it was to late to get rid of his cud so he swallowed it. Ugh!
I later visited him in Tucson, Arizona in 1953 where he went to live for a while after he sold the resort and I was in the Air Force at Davis-Monthan AFB.
Roger Smith
Carson City, NV