KEOSAUQUA —
One of the closely watched local races in Van Buren County is that for county recorder.
Incumbent Republican Glenice Graber is being challenged by Democrat Ann Skaggs.
Glenice Graber
Graber, who lives between Bonaparte and Farmington, has worked in the recorder’s office for nine years, six years as recorder.
She thinks the ability of her office to infuse technology into the office has greatly enhanced customer service.
“As consumers we get bills online, pay bills online, bank online, use a debit card instead of cash, we get images of our checks back in our bank statements. If you do write a check at some locations it is processed and handed back to you right then,” she said.
“The Iowa Land Records website, although helpful for our users, has required lots of behind-the-scenes work for me. I have had to go back through all documents indexed since 1988 and reformat all the indexes, re-code all of our documents recorded and adapt to standardized indexing to be consistent with all 99 counties.
“We also record documents electronically now, and have recently started accepting debit/credit cards at the request of our customers. We electronically submit some documents to state agencies and will soon be connected to the State Vital Records Department that will allow us access to all Iowa vital records and issue them. We have recently installed all new DNR equipment for all DNR services.
“I enjoy the challenge, the courthouse co-workers and the customers we meet and serve,” Graber said. “I want to continue to represent this county with my up-to-date knowledge and experience.”
Ann Skaggs
Skaggs is a former employee in the recorder’s office, having been deputy recorder for 13-1/2 years. She left that postition when she did her student teaching and began her teaching career. She was married 17 years to the late Kriss Skaggs and together they owned and operated A & K Feed Service in Birmingham since 1996.
“With the help of great employees, I still maintain the operation of the feed store. We were also involved in running the family farm with Kriss’ parents,” she said.
“The most important function of the recorder’s office is serving the taxpayers of the county in a friendly, knowledgeable and efficient manner. The recorder must maintain a good working relationship with the other offices in the courthouse, as well as local bankers, attorneys, abstractors, realtors, funeral directors and DNR agents.
“I chose to run for office for many reasons. While I enjoyed working with kids and other staff at the school, I never quit missing the courthouse atmosphere and the people I came in contact with there. I like the type of work the job requires and enjoy meeting the public. I have proven to the residents of the county that I have the skills necessary to effectively work in the recorder’s office. I was able to perform every duty of the office, including daily operations, monthly and quarterly reporting, and yearly budgeting.”
Skaggs said she realizes there have been changes in the recorder's office the past few years, but is “confident that I can learn how to do these things. I am open-minded and willing to ask for help. I have an excellent attendance record at any job I have ever held and get along well with co-workers. I have been encouraged to run for this office by many people who were happy with the service I provided previously.”
