Some of the most exciting political news came to the forefront recently as Monroe County Clerk Danny Kolhage announced that he would not seek re-election in 2012. We owe Kolhage a debt of gratitude for his 29 years of service to Monroe County. Even with the numerous differences we may have, I will be the first one to suggest Kolhage ran a tight ship, albeit maybe too tight at times.
While his management style may have served us well decades ago, that very same style may have been his shortcoming as technological challenges changed his job role, and the office which he was charged to lead. While I offer him thanks for his years of service, I also am thankful for the opportunity his choice not to run provides Monroe County residents.
Whomever chooses to seek the office of County Clerk will have a lot on their plate should they be fortunate enough to win the election, and to that end, we have the opportunity to vet those candidates to ensure they have the awareness and capabilities to meet these challenges.
The office of County Clerk is a critical element to many of the operations within the county, and we as residents have to ensure that we don’t simply “pass the baton” to the most likable or well connected candidate. We have seen the success that is won with that approach in the school systems, and I frequently argue that similar “success” stories exist elsewhere. Therefore we must strive to look past the smile and the handshake, and do our due diligence as voters to ensure that we elect a capable individual that is ready to take on the challenges awaiting our next Clerk of the Courts.
What are these challenges? First, the obvious. Clerks throughout the State have been tasked with developing the ability to accept e-filing for Court documents. The State has initiated the process by developing a portal to pass these documents on to the respective Circuits and Counties. Locally, Clerks were challenged to integrate a method to accept the documents from the State e-filing portal. Some Counties already have this accomplished as can be seen on the State Website, here. Monroe County is in the “working on it” category. A recent Citizen article giving Kolhage a "feather" in his cap for this accomplishment is just plain absurd.
While his management style may have served us well decades ago, that very same style may have been his shortcoming as technological challenges changed his job role, and the office which he was charged to lead. While I offer him thanks for his years of service, I also am thankful for the opportunity his choice not to run provides Monroe County residents.
Whomever chooses to seek the office of County Clerk will have a lot on their plate should they be fortunate enough to win the election, and to that end, we have the opportunity to vet those candidates to ensure they have the awareness and capabilities to meet these challenges.
The office of County Clerk is a critical element to many of the operations within the county, and we as residents have to ensure that we don’t simply “pass the baton” to the most likable or well connected candidate. We have seen the success that is won with that approach in the school systems, and I frequently argue that similar “success” stories exist elsewhere. Therefore we must strive to look past the smile and the handshake, and do our due diligence as voters to ensure that we elect a capable individual that is ready to take on the challenges awaiting our next Clerk of the Courts.
What are these challenges? First, the obvious. Clerks throughout the State have been tasked with developing the ability to accept e-filing for Court documents. The State has initiated the process by developing a portal to pass these documents on to the respective Circuits and Counties. Locally, Clerks were challenged to integrate a method to accept the documents from the State e-filing portal. Some Counties already have this accomplished as can be seen on the State Website, here. Monroe County is in the “working on it” category. A recent Citizen article giving Kolhage a "feather" in his cap for this accomplishment is just plain absurd.
This needs to change. We are the smallest Circuit that contains only one County, and this should make things easier. E-filing will save countless hours for the staff of the State Attorney, Public Defender, and the general public.
Next, an incoming Clerk needs to address the concept of inter-agency co-operation. Technology systems can offer serious savings if taken full advantage of, and this means passing cost savings onto the taxpayer. Staff at various agencies should have information at their fingertips, the type of public information that is available if they call or walk-in, but currently is not easily accessible from their desktops. When I tried to organize an association devoted to integrating information technology throughout County agencies, the outgoing Clerk, not only did not attend, but chose not to even reply to emails inviting him and his staff. We need to tear down these walls and electronic barriers.
Finally, MERS. One of the primary roles of a Clerk of Courts is to maintain land records. Throughout the Country, MERS (AKA - Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems) has usurped County’s historical role of tracking title histories. MERS was developed by a consortium of banks, and is a third party private corporation that claims they have saved the mortgage industry billions of dollars.
What they mean is they have evaded filing the appropriate documents with County Clerks (and paying the fees) under the guise that they would keep track of land records instead. This enabled the banks to easily securitize the mortgages, and we all know how well that worked out. Not only has this cost Counties billions, but it has destroyed our title histories, and subsequently our property values and tax base.
County Clerks throughout the Country have begun to take action against MERS to recoup this evasion of filing fees and destruction of title histories. For instance in Duval County, Clerk Jim Fuller has filed a suit, seeking to recoup millions. Our current Clerk, Danny Kolhage has declined to answer questions emailed to him regarding his intentions to pursue similar action. Those who seek to run for Clerk of the Courts in hopes of replacing Kolhage need to have a concrete grasp on this issue and a plan of action. Our title histories, property values and tax base depend on it.
Next, an incoming Clerk needs to address the concept of inter-agency co-operation. Technology systems can offer serious savings if taken full advantage of, and this means passing cost savings onto the taxpayer. Staff at various agencies should have information at their fingertips, the type of public information that is available if they call or walk-in, but currently is not easily accessible from their desktops. When I tried to organize an association devoted to integrating information technology throughout County agencies, the outgoing Clerk, not only did not attend, but chose not to even reply to emails inviting him and his staff. We need to tear down these walls and electronic barriers.
Finally, MERS. One of the primary roles of a Clerk of Courts is to maintain land records. Throughout the Country, MERS (AKA - Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems) has usurped County’s historical role of tracking title histories. MERS was developed by a consortium of banks, and is a third party private corporation that claims they have saved the mortgage industry billions of dollars.
What they mean is they have evaded filing the appropriate documents with County Clerks (and paying the fees) under the guise that they would keep track of land records instead. This enabled the banks to easily securitize the mortgages, and we all know how well that worked out. Not only has this cost Counties billions, but it has destroyed our title histories, and subsequently our property values and tax base.
County Clerks throughout the Country have begun to take action against MERS to recoup this evasion of filing fees and destruction of title histories. For instance in Duval County, Clerk Jim Fuller has filed a suit, seeking to recoup millions. Our current Clerk, Danny Kolhage has declined to answer questions emailed to him regarding his intentions to pursue similar action. Those who seek to run for Clerk of the Courts in hopes of replacing Kolhage need to have a concrete grasp on this issue and a plan of action. Our title histories, property values and tax base depend on it.
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