Editorial: Deane — year late — gets it right

Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2004 | 8:56 a.m.

Clark County Recorder Fran Deane has established a new policy so that her office no longer will give preferential treatment to title companies, which were big contributors to her 2002 election campaign. Previously, Deane had given priority to documents that were submitted to her office in person, a situation that favored title companies since they typically have the time to hand-deliver their documents. In contrast, average customers often can't take time away from work to personally visit the recorder's office, so they mail the documents that need to be processed before a sale or transfer of property is concluded.

We're glad Deane finally has implemented a fair system so that mail-in customers won't see several weeks' delay in the processing of their documents. Still, it's disturbing that it took so long, especially since state law says that such documents should be recorded as they're received. But that Deane dithered in complying isn't too surprising -- she's done a terrible job since taking office, repeatedly showing poor judgment. Last March she earned an F in customer service when, as she tried to clear up a backlog of documents, her office didn't answer the phones at all. Title companies, though, did have access during that time since a special fax line for them allowed them to communicate with the recorder's office. Deane also considered a money-making venture where she would have privately sold documents that the county provides for free. She abandoned that idea, but only after she was sharply criticized for it.

We have said before that Deane should resign, allowing the County Commission to name someone who could run the office better, but she hasn't been willing to do so. As for a long-term remedy, we agree with County Manager Thom Reilly, who believes that the Legislature should amend the law and make the recorder's position appointed instead of elected. This isn't a policymaking job, it's a clerical job that should be accountable on a day-to-day basis to the members of the Clark County Commission.