Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

County Recorder

Seven candidates are vying for the open county recorder post voluntarily left by Judy Vandever after scores of problems.

Republicans Frances "Fran" Deane and James "Jim" Edwards face off in the September primary along with Democrats Wes McPherson, Bob Spencer and Anita Springs. Independent American Gregory G. Hansen and Green Party candidate Brandi J. Harrington are also running for the position, which oversees all public records such as property deeds, maps, mining claims and marriage certificates.

More than 3,000 official documents are recorded in the Clark County office each day.

Deane has worked as a mortgage banker in Las Vegas since 1990. She says her experience with the real estate community and home owners of Southern Nevada will help her better handle the thousands of property deeds and other titles that come through the recorder's office. She said she wants to improve customer service and stop the backlog of records by implementing new technology in the office.

Retired Army Master Sgt. Edwards said he believes the recorder's office needs "some good old-fashioned discipline," having spent last year as a public information specialist for the office. The Vietnam veteran served as a leader, senior trainer, manager and organizer for a number of units from small teams to companies of more than 150 soldiers, including working with the Army Operations Center at the Pentagon. He says the office can be streamlined without additional funding.

McPherson, currently with Desert Community Church, has been a minister in Las Vegas for 30 years. He has worked with the recorder's office when performing weddings and said he sees the position as an opportunity to serve the community. McPherson, who has worked with United Way and the Economic Opportunity Board, previously ran for the position eight years ago.

Spencer, an auditor in the recorder's office for more than 13 years, has developed a 10-point plan to streamline the recorder's office and make it more customer-friendly. A specialist in transfer taxes, he has served on the County Finance Advisory Committee and as a controller in the banking and construction industries.

Springs is a self-employed, freelance paralegal with experience working as an assistant manager for the original MGM Hotel and as a general manager for a time share. She has also worked as a court reporter in both Federal and District Court.

Hansen, a private attorney with Hansen and Hansen, said he plans on using his knowledge of private business to run the recorder's office if elected. His legal experience, he said, also gives him a better sense of the possible ramifications delaying the recording of deeds and other important titles can have on the entire economy.

Green Party candidate Harrington is a human resources assistant at the Clark County Health District. If elected, she plans on installing a deputy recorder and cross training all personne to improve efficiency and customer service.

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