BONNEY FILES AS A GOP CANDIDATE FOR COUNTY RECORDER OF DEEDS OFFICE

Citing more than 21 years in the banking business and a strong desire to improve the recorder's office, Darlene Bonney of Jackson has filed as a Republican for Cape Girardeau County recorder of deeds.

"We are dealing with recording of documents and land transfers where time and accuracy is critical," she said in announcing her candidacy.

Bonney is one of two candidates now in the race. Incumbent Janet Robert, a Democrat, has filed for re-election.

In filing, Bonney said, "I am committed to full-time service. I am committed to change, and I will run the recorder's office as I would my own business.

"I don't want to be the recorder, I want to be your recorder," she said.

"Experience teaches us that it's not the length of service that is important, but the quality of service. I am committed to working hard to make the difference we all expect and should demand as taxpayers," said Bonney.

Several people, she said, have expressed frustration and concern with delays in the recorder's office and that it takes on average 10-14 days or at times as long as three weeks to get some documents recorded.

"We must improve turn-around time on documents," she said. "I am the kind of person that will stay as late as it takes to get the job done."

She said customer service should be a top priority of the recorder's office. "I enjoy working with people. My commitment is to see that every person that deals with the recorder's office walks away with a favorable impression. I would expect no less, nor should the people of this county," she said.

Bonney maintained that with continued growth in the county, there will be a need to invest in technology that will increase the efficiency and speed of the recorder's office.

"We need to look into the future and invest in new technologies such as an optical reader that would allow us to quickly scan documents and store them on computer discs. This would help improve efficiency, speed, cut cost, reduce space requirements and allow for instant retrieval of records on a computer."

Bonney said she's committed to running a fair recorder's office. "I feel that one of the most important obligations of an elected official is to show no favoritism in their administration of duties."

Bonney is a graduate of Jackson High School and studied accounting in college.

She currently works for Boatmen's Bank of Cape Girardeau in the Jackson branch. She previously worked for Heritage Savings and Loan, which later became First Federal Savings and Loan of Cape Girardeau, where she was a branch manager and loan officer. She also received a Missouri real estate license.

She has been active in Girl Scouts and the Little League.

She is active also in St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson, serving as a Sunday school teacher, a choir member and as a member of the handbell choir.

She was treasurer of the Cape Girardeau Business and Professional Women's group, chaired the Jail and Bail event for the American Cancer Society in 1989-90, the Jackson Christmas parade in 1981-82, and the December Home Tour for three years in the '80s.

Bonney was raised on a farm near Pocahontas. She is married to Donald L. Bonney, a retired Air Force master sergeant who currently works for Brennecke Chevrolet in sales. They have four children and three grandchildren.