Scott County voters to consider two for recorder of deeds

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been corrected to remove information that was not accurate. The story previously said the recorder's office isn't open during lunch. It actually is. The story was also corrected to say that this election will be to fill the remainder of an unexpired term.

BENTON, Mo. -- In the time he walked the halls of the Scott County Courthouse, there is little doubt that Tom Dirnberger knew not everyone he passed understood the exact nature of his job. But those who got to know him during those 16 years say they knew exactly what kind of man he was -- magnanimous, hardworking and preternaturally kind.

For them, the skin cancer that cut short the life of the married father of two left a void much greater than the office he held.

More than a year later, two candidates will ask voters on Tuesday to fill out Dirnberger's fifth term, which was interrupted at age 53 by the most dangerous form of skin cancer. Democrat Tara Mason and Republican Alan Pendergrass have expressed admiration for Dirnberger, but they part ways about who is best suited to step into his shoes.

Mason, appointed by Gov. Jay Nixon to fill the remainder of Dirnberger's term, said she already knows the office well after serving as deputy clerk for Dirnberger for nearly a decade. Not to mention, she said, Dirnberger, a fellow Democrat, gave her his blessing after the news of his illness surfaced.

Tara Mason

"He was definitely my mentor," said Mason, 37. "He taught me a lot. He discussed this with me. I want to continue what he started. I want to continue to make the office efficient and accessible to the public."

Her only potential roadblock is Pendergrass, a 51-year-old Ceramo Co. accounting employee who touts a background in business he believes trumps the experience of someone who served as a clerk for years and as interim recorder a short time.

Pendergrass, technically the challenger to Mason's incumbency, describes himself as a fiscal conservative with 20 years of executive management experience from his years with a family business.

He readily admits that he has never worked in the recorder's office. But he says he has the drive and the business acumen to learn and assess the situation quickly. Pendergrass noted that Dirnberger was seen across the state as an expert. It will take someone with a similar skill-set, he said, to keep pace.

The winner of the race will be responsible for recording and filing documents that affect real or personal property, subdivision plats and federal and state tax liens as well as issuing marriage licenses. The recorder has to make all of that information available to the public.

Mason maintains that she already knows how to do that. She considered Dirnberger a mentor and tried to act like a sponge when he discussed how to do the job well.

She has overseen systems upgrades and she wants to continue technological advancements about which Dirnberger was so passionate.

Mason believes the experience factor should make her the best choice.

If Pendergrass wins, he will become the only Republican office holder in Scott County government. Still, Mason considers herself fiscally conservative and intends to be mindful of budgetary restraints.

"All of these things that were important to Tom are important to me," she said. "I know how important the office was to him. It's very important to carry on the same way that he did. I think everyone knows his shoes won't be easily filled."

smoyers@semissourian.com

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