The Union County Commissioners have named Karen Riffle to serve as the acting county recorder.
Teresa Markham, the current Union County Recorder, has tendered a resignation effective July 31.
Earlier this year, Riffle defeated Beth Robinson Marshall and Salvatore Petrovia in the Republican primary for the position. No democrat has filed for the position or will run against her in November.
The commissioners have named Riffle as the acting recorder, but the Republican Central Committee will need to fill the vacancy by Aug. 31. On Jan. 4, 2021, Riffle will begin the term she will be elected to.
Riffle has been with the recorder’s office for nearly 17 years. She said she knows the day-to-day operations but needs to learn “the little things,” specifically mentioning some of administrative activities.
“It will be a learning experience and I am just excited about it,” Riffle said.
She said she believes working with and for Markham will help ensure an easy transition for everyone.
Riffle will replace Markham who said that over the last year, it became clear it was “time for me to go do other things in life.”
In July of last year, attorney Frank Howard passed away. Markham said he was a friend and someone she saw nearly every day for 25 years.
“When he passed, it made me think,” she said, noting she will be 64 years old soon.
Markham has a husband who is retired and an eight-month old grandson.
“I want to spend some time with my family,” Markham said.
She said she wants to travel to all 50 states and go to Germany with her family.
In addition to “a lot of projects” she would like to do, Markham said she would like to volunteer.
“I don’t want to work full time or even part time. I think I have done enough working,” Markham said. “I would like to spend some time helping people and volunteering.”
A North Union High School graduate, Markham has worked most of her life, taking a brief break when her son was born.
“When he went to kindergarten, I went back to work,” she said.
Markham began working for Union County in 1995 in the Clerk of Courts office. In 1997 she moved to the recorder’s office.
In 2005, then-recorder Beth Temple said she would not run again. Markham won the Republican nomination and would have taken office in January 2006. Temple, however, resigned early and Markham was appointed in August 2005.
Markham said her four terms have been, “good, really enjoyable.”
The recorder’s office holds the official land records for all real estate located in Union County.
Markham said that when she started in the office, records would come into the office or be created in handwritten notes. In 2000, the office changed to a computer system.
“That made things a lot easier and more accurate,” Markham said.
While she is looking forward to retirement, she said she has enjoyed her job.
“I enjoy my work,” Markham said. “I enjoy seeing people and meeting new people and talking with them.”
She added, “I have always been proud to work for Union County. It is a good county to work for. The people are great. My coworkers and the other elected officials are great to work with.”