By Sara StrongRock County is preparing to host informational public hearings on its intention to change the County Recorder’s position from elected to appointed.County Recorder Jere Ohme said he is in favor of the position change for a few reasons. He said the job has changed to require so much technological knowledge, that allowing anyone to run for office could mean that efficiency and service would be lost.For example, as of 8 a.m. Tuesday morning the county was completely up to date on its records. Nobles County and Pipestone County are six weeks behind.Those objecting to the change from elected to appointed have said that the public is losing control over government with each official they don’t get to elect.To that, Ohme said, "The thing about it is, this office is governed by state statute. We make no political decisions whatsoever."Also, when people are voted out of office, or retire from elected positions, they often don’t train their replacements. Ohme said that would mean continued good service in the office wouldn’t be assured in the future.Ohme said he hasn’t directly heard opposition to the change to appointed.Times changeThe longest standing County Recorder in the state of Minnesota is almost ready to stop registering, filing and preserving Rock County information.Ohme is technically eligible for retirement, but will probably finish the current term. Even if the county gets the position changed to appointed from elected, Ohme would stay through retirement as written into the law.Ohme has been the County Recorder since 1975, when Agnes Wiese retired. She had worked at the job since 1939.When Ohme started in Rock County, he was the first to use a ball point pen for the records — Wiese preferred a quill dipped in ink.Compare that to now, when the office is run by three computer systems. To get the job, Ohme had to campaign hard, but he hasn’t had an opponent since his first election.In the 1974 campaign, Ohme was a sure loser, some said. Five others ran for recorder, including a banker and others with strong local histories. Ohme was fairly new in town, a Slayton native, and at the time taught elementary gym."I just really worked hard," Ohme said. "I went to every home in the county except in the very north, because I ran out of time."What exactly makes up the job duties of recorder can seem vague, so Ohme explained the position Tuesday.oRecorders direct the recording of all deeds, mortgages and other legal documents involved in the registration of land to meet statutory requirements. oRecorders review deeds and other documents for accuracy and completeness.oRecorders supervise and review the work of subordinate personnel in the Recorder’s Office. In Rock County’s case, that is Joyce De Groot.oRecorders advise the public on procedures for recording deeds and mortgages and related documents.oRecorders assist the public and legal professionals in searches for recorded information about specific property and titles. Ohme said that especially during the summer, genealogy research is popular in the vault of records.oRecorders ascertain that all papers are kept in order in accordance with the order in which they have been entered and that they are rechecked and numbered according to the Torrens system.oThe recorder assists the auditor/treasurer, assessor, attorney and engineer in determining ownerships, areas and residues for tax and other purposes.The job involves very detailed work that is unforgiving. There is no room for error because errors adversely affect chains of title.Ohme’s explanation of the recorder job continues, "The operation of the entire county government system depends upon the recorder’s records. Taxation of real estate is crucial to financing governmental operations. The ownership of real estate is responsible for taxes assessed. Thus, it naturally follows that the land records of the recorder must accurately reflect the current status of each tract of land within the county. The assessor bases his work upon the information given him by the recorder’s records. In turn, the treasurer collects the taxes assessed. "The recorders office is not more important than the others. However, other offices are dependent upon the accuracy of the recorder’s records. Thus, there is a great responsibility on the part of the recorder to assure accuracy in all the operations of the office."Recorders (formally known as register of deeds) are also registrars. Registrars of Titles operate under the Torrens, or registered land, system.The Registrar is an arm of the District Court, and examines documents presented, determines whether they meet legal requirements for transfer and issues Certificates of Title.
