Erie County elected officeholder stepping down

SANDUSKY — A prominent Erie County official recently announced she's leaving the office where she moved up in rank over a three-decade-long tenure. "I feel it is time for me to pursue other interests," said county recorder Barb Sessler, who indicated she'll leave her office effective Jan. 27. "I would like to possibly volunteer some of my time. In what capacity, I'm not sure as of yet." Sessler's tenure in the recorder's office started on Oct. 30, 1989, for then-recorder John Schaeffer. Back then, people could find the recorder's office inside the Erie County Courthouse in Sandusky. The recorder's office relocated to a nearby and its present-day home, within the Erie County Office Building, in 1997. Three years later, in 2000, she became chief deputy for then-recorder Tish Fraley. Then, four years later, in 2004, Sessler, a Democrat, became the county recorder via election. It's the office's top position. The primary responsibility of an elected county record is to make and maintain a complete, accurate and permanent record of every document pertaining to the conveyance and encumbrance of land within a given county, according to the Ohio Recorders' Association. For instance, a recorder records real estate transactions, land titles and land plats. "What most individuals don't understand is that we must also maintain all the previously recorded documents back to 1838, when we became a county, and ensure that they are reproducible and available to the public upon request," Sessler said of Erie County. Proudest moments Sessler summarized some of the more prouder achievements she's accomplished as county recorder. She believes these three made the most significant positive impact on both her office and the constitutes it serves: • Advancing technology — The situation: "Shortly after I started in the recorder's office, we went on the computer. Through no fault of the previous recorders, the process of recording documents was time- and labor-intensive. It was just how it was done in all of the recorder's offices. Just like many areas, the computer changed and improved much of that process." — What happened, part 1: "Through imaging projects, we are continuing to scan the older documents to digital images, even though they are all currently microfilmed, which, in its day, was state of the art. This has allowed us the ability to have all documents recorded from 1990 to present day along with the digital image available online in real-time. When my office staff is not recording current documents or assisting the public, they are adding historic document and their images to our current system." — What happened, part 2: "Along with this technology, (county auditor) Rick Jeffrey and I were able to work together to implement electronic recording in Erie County, which is now the industry standard. This process allows documents to be sent electronically to the recorder's office from anywhere in the U.S." • Committing to the public — What happened: "At one time in the recorder's office, there were six staff positions. I currently have four positions ranging in service years from seven to 17 years. Due to their dedication to the residents of this county, we were able to remain open through the entire COVID pandemic." • Staying involved — What happened: "I am very proud of my involvement with the Ohio Recorder's Association. I have served in various committees, including two terms on the legislative committee and five years on the executive committee, which included being state president in 2011. I was also honored by my peers in receiving the Gold Quill Award, the highest honor a recorder can receive." In retirement, Sessler plans on spending much time with her husband, Dennis. They own and operate his family's farm in Margaretta Township just outside of Castalia. They have three children and six grandchildren. A local party representative expressed her appreciation for what Sessler did. "First of all, I would like to thank Barbara for her 17 years of service not only as an elected officeholder but also as a public servant as her career spans 33 years of service in the Erie County recorder's office," Erie County Democratic Party chairwoman Amy Grubbe said. The party would like to "wish Barbara the best so she may enjoy many years of retirement with her family and friends." Who's next? A specific process must now occur to find Sessler's successor. Erie County's Democratic central committee must appoint a person to fulfill the current term, which spans until Jan. 5, 2025. A general election for the office doesn't occur until November 2024. "The Erie County Democratic Party screening committee, chaired by local attorney and central committee member Dean Lucal, will be accepting resumes for county recorder to fill the unexpired term," according to a party statement. Applicants should be registered Democrats. Interested candidates can send resumes, via mail, to the • Erie County Democratic Party • P.O. Box 135, Sandusky 44871-0135 • ATTN: Dean Lucal Resumes must be postmarked no later than Dec. 28. "The screening committee will then meet with each applicant and will make a recommendation to the central committee," the statement read. An appointment to fulfill Sessler's remaining term should occur by February. "We look forward to ensuring the citizens of Erie County will have a recorder they can count on and trust," the statement read. That person will serve as county recorder "until a successor is elected by the voters of Erie County in the November 2024 election." Sessler then gave her recommendation of the best qualities someone needs to flourish in this position. "I feel an important quality my successor should possess is a knowledge of recorder's office and the importance of recording legal documents," Sessler said. "They also need to have a good idea of records retention and the importance of disaster recovery."