Editor’s note: Each day this week, the Journal-Tribune will feature coverage of contested races and issues throughout the county ahead of the March 17 primary election.
Today’s edition features statements submitted by Beth Robinson Marshall, Sal Petrovia and Karen Riffle, the three republican candidates competing in the race for Union County Recorder.
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Beth Robinson Marshall is seeking the Union County Recorder seat.
My name is Beth Marshall. I’m very proud to have been born and raised in Union County. I grew up on our family farm north of Marysville and was inspired by the civic-mindedness of many of my family members since a very young age. Mostly that of my father, Max Robinson, a former five term Union County Commissioner and who spent his life helping others. Dad was a wonderful example of how to take an active role in supporting the community and I learned so much from his leadership and loyalty.
I feel it is an imperative part of the job to keep accurate and accessible records of real estate transactions, property ownership, all liens and all Veterans records in order to facilitate an organized and systematic practice that upholds the judicial standards required for public record and functional, timely legal proceedings.
I have strong qualities built by 33 years of working at The Scotts Miracle-Gro company in the Payroll/Pension Division, the ProTurf Division followed by fulfilling a role in the Financial Services department serving in accounts management and finishing with 20 years in Customer Service.
My late husband, John & I were married 3 weeks shy of 45 years before his passing two years ago. We planted our roots here in Union County and we raised a family of our own. Our three children are graduates of Marysville High School. To date, my greatest blessing has been the added joy of loving on our three beautiful granddaughters.
In 2016, I was elected a Taylor Township Trustee, a job I really enjoy. I’m the music director & treasurer at Middleburg UMC; Secretary of Ohio Branch of the International Kings Daughters and Sons. I have served on the Election Board for 20 years; I am active in the Union Co. Republican Party, a life long Republican and a member of the Union Co. Republican Central Committee. I serve on the Central Ohio Emmaus Board and the Community Concert Series. I am a member of the Northwestern Lions Club and co-organizer of the Community Thanksgiving Dinner held at the Marysville First United Methodist Church.
John and I spent many years serving our community by volunteering our time with county, community, township and church initiatives. Supporting the opportunities that strengthen this community has been a longtime passion of mine and I hope to continue to make an impact through this opportunity. I would be grateful for your support and your vote. Thank you.
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Sal Petrovia, 53, is currently a Program and Organizational Change Manager at CompTech Computer Technologies.
I am Sal Petrovia, a conservative Christian and Veteran vying for your Republican nomination as our Union County Recorder.
I am a lifelong resident of Union County, graduated from Marysville High School, attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and spent the following 30 years serving our nation as a US Army officer earning the rank of Colonel. After serving in over 20 countries and nearly half of our United States, I retired last Summer, and am finally back home in the greatest place I have ever been; our community of caring, hard-working, and “real” people.
I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geography from West Point and a Master of Science Degree (Summa Cum Laude) in Administration from Central Michigan University, and I am a proven leader of our men and women and manager of our government resources. Most recently, I successfully commanded over 800 of our finest Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines as a Joint Task Force commander in combat in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and served as The State Inspector General for Michigan; responsible for assessing and implementing plans to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of all health, welfare and training/readiness programs for all 22,000+ Soldiers and Airmen in Michigan.
I am currently the Program and Organizational Change Manager for CompTech Computer Technologies at the Defense Service Supply Center in Columbus. After only four months in my position, our CEO personally awarded me the CompTech Stellar Award for 2019 stating: “You stepped into the Information Technology Operations Center program Manager position and took control from day one, able to quickly navigate the complexities of multiple shifts, multiple interstate locations and minimum staffing requirements covering 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. You worked with government management to understand staff shortages and ensure our team was positioned to support evolving IT requirements. Your leadership has turned our team into a well-run machine gaining the confidence and respect of our Defense Logistics Agency customer.”
As your Union County Recorder, I will use this same leadership and methodology and work tirelessly to give our community the most effective and efficient service in each of the Recorder’s Office responsibilities. I’ve researched the Recorder duties and responsibilities and contacted several of our other county agencies as well as other County Recorder Offices, and most comments indicate the need for modernization of our processes and digitization of our records. As your Union County Recorder, I will remain engaged with all our village, township, city and county offices to best modernize, digitize and provide ease-of-access to our land, property, Veterans and Veterans Graves Registration records.
I long to serve the people I admire and aspire to most, and that is our family and friends within our community of Union County and offer you my proven leadership, management and dedication to serve our county in properly documenting our past and growing toward our best future. I believe I am the best candidate for our Union County Recorder, and humbly request your vote!
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Karen Riffle, 59, is currently Chief Deputy Recorder.
As a lifetime resident of Union County, I am honored to be a Republican candidate for Union County Recorder. I have worked for the Union County Recorder’s Office for 16 years, which includes the last five years as Chief Deputy Recorder. My experience is invaluable in maintaining a smooth transition, which makes me the best qualified candidate. I know all aspects of the duties of the Recorder’s Office thanks to the current recorder, Teresa Markham, who is retiring this year after 27 years of service. My experience includes extensive knowledge of the Ohio Revised Code as it reference the Recorder’s Office duties and implementation of procedures. I’m proficient in the availability of the daily documents recorded and indexed, which includes the prior records of the office. I am instrumental in preparing updates to the Recorder’s Office system to increase the availability and preservation of recorded documents. I possess knowledge of the Recorder’s Office budget. I have served the public in a wide variety of capacities. My experience prior to working for the Recorder’s Office included managing the Blues Creek Golf Course and EMT with Richwood Fire and EMS. These experiences have been a blessing while serving the public, as well as managing a budget.
In my opinion, one of the biggest factors facing Union County is growth and the capability of managing that growth. The growth of Union County has affected the Recorder’s Office pertaining to the number of documents recorded. These records must be accurate and available to the general public. The Recorder’s Office needs experience and accuracy to make sure the ever-increasing number of documents are accurately recorded. As more residents are preparing documents without professional assistance, a knowledgeable person in this role is critical. Therefore, it is imperative to have an experienced, knowledgeable and efficient Recorder.
If elected, my goals include scanning and indexing prior years documents for online use. This would include the indexes back to 1955. I would like to update the Recorder’s website to include a searchable index by veteran’s name and gravesite. I want to upgrade our current computer system to include electronic filing of certain documents.
My knowledge and experience in the County Recorder’s Office will provide a seamless transition between the current and next recorder. There will be no gap in service to the general public due to a learning curve. I have the full support of the present recorder, Teresa Markham, as well as a past recorder, Bethel Temple. Please vote for Karen Riffle as County Recorder. Experience matters!