Recorder of deeds candidates both plan to improve access to records

For the first time since 1994, Cape Girardeau County recorder of deeds Janet Robert will face an opponent in the general election. Two Republican candidates say they are running for their party's nomination because some changes are needed in the office, especially regarding use of technology.

Scott R. Clark, a 25-year-old retail supervisor at J.C. Penney, has been a full-time resident of Cape Girardeau County since 2007. He has a master's degree in public administration. He said he has tried to find out more information about the recorder's office from the website and has had little success. He said even though the office has a website, he does not feel it is being used to its fullest potential.

"Going into other counties you see that they have access to records online," he said. He said once in office, he would study the best way to offer that access, either free or fee-based and unlimited or restricted access.

His opponent, 35-year-old Shelly Lane, is a real estate agent and has a bachelor's degree in journalism with an emphasis in public relations. She agrees the office needs to take better advantage of its Internet presence. As a real estate agent, she said she has ideas on what should be done to make it more informative.

"I would like to see office hours and a little bit about the office on the website. If the budget allows I would like to put at least enough on there that if you want to get [comparable data] for your house or those types of things, you can. In most counties they do have it online," she said.

Shelly Lane

Lane said she makes frequent trips into the recorder's office, and said while she knows how to read the documents, others may not always get the help they need from office staff.

"I would be more helpful. I want to see improvements. If you were to come in there you wouldn't know what you are looking at," she said.

Communication issues

One of the ways Clark would improve customer service is to build better communication between the recorder and other offices.

"One of the things I have asked is, is the collector, the assessor and the recorder all linked together in their information systems? The answer I have gotten is no, but they can be," he said.

He said people now need to go to as many as five agencies to change their address for tax purposes. He would like to make that easier for residents.

Answering critics

Both candidates in the primary have faced criticism. Lane's husband, J.J. Lane, is the vice president of the Southeast Missouri Central Labor Council, and there are some who question her commitment to the Republican Party and accuse her of being a Democrat. She denies that charge and says although her husband is a union leader, she is not a Democrat and feels no obligation to the party.

"I am a Republican, born and raised. We are too busy raising kids to discuss politics," she said. Her campaign has received more than $2,300 in contributions from labor unions and those employed by unions.

For Clark, his youth has prompted concern whether he has the experience to head a county office and a staff of four.

"Not everybody has the maturity level that I have," he said. "I feel that I have the maturity level to handle the job at 25. I realize my opponents are quite a bit older than I am and that might give some people some concern, but at 23 my manager saw something in me to trust me with a multimillion-dollar operation as a catalog supervisor."

Despite comments made by their detractors, both Clark and Lane have solid support from those who have worked with them.

John Voss, chairman of the Cape Girardeau County Republican committee, said despite his age, Clark can do the job.

"He is a hard worker. He certainly has the formal education that would serve the county well. He has good ideas and he has always fulfilled his obligations," Voss said.

Deb Martin, broker and manager of Realty Executives of Cape County's Jackson office, said she knows Lane and plans on voting for her.

"She is familiar with the workings of the office. Being a Realtor connects her to a number of facets and puts her in great position. She has lived here longer and really understands the community," Martin said.

cbartholomew@semissourian.com

243-8600