Out to lunch

SANDUSKY — Staff shortages led to recent decisions to close the Erie County title office for lunch hours, according to Luvada Wilson, the Erie County clerk of courts who oversees the title office. County commissioners know it's been a problem, she said. Wilson "We are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. I close at 11:50 a.m. giving the title clerks 10 minutes to secure our morning intake until 1 p.m. because I currently only have two deputy title clerks," Wilson said. "Normally there are four title clerks, which includes the supervisor." One clerk has recently been sidelined with a serious illness and is off on family leave, and another left the county's employment for a better paying job. "So that leaves me two deputy clerks, and I refuse to have one go to lunch and the other remain there alone, especially since there is no security in that building," Wilson said. Security for the building "is something I have been requesting for years now," she said. "That request is always met, by the commissioners, with budget concerns." She hasn't received any complaints, Wilson said, and if other public officials have gotten complaints, they have not been forwarded to her. "I have given both written and radio notice to customers of our recent operating hours," she told the Register this (Monday) morning. "It is strange that I, as head of the title department, have not received one complaint from the public or if someone has received a complaint that they didn't refer them to me." She's already made county commissioners aware of the staffing and hours issues, she said. "Most people don't realize that the clerk's office is an arm of the courts and is also under state regulations as it relates to daily operations. The court's administrative judge, the state titling department, and, yes, even the county commissioners are aware of the changed office hours of the title department. The county commissioners also know the exact reason for closing the office during the lunch hour." Wilson said a new title clerk has been hired and will be starting at the end of this month. "She does have some title experience, but I intend on giving her time to become familiar with our office and the state's procedures," Wilson said. "In the near future, we will be back to hours where I do not have to close the office for lunch." Wilson said she would give notice to the public when the hours are back to normal. "I want to thank our customers for their support. We do the best we know how to do, with what we have," she said. Erie County Common Pleas Judge Tygh Tone said commissioners should make sure the clerk's office is fully funded, and they should also look seriously at providing security at the County Administrative Building downtown. "She's asked for that," Tone said, referring to Wilson. "There's protection here at the courthouse and that building is also vulnerable. It's a legitimate request. Everyone's got a gun and too many guns are in the hands of the wrong people. We should be taking preventative measures." There have been problems with two other county agencies — the recorder's office and the auditor's office — with being open or providing full services on Friday afternoons, according to commissioner Matt Old. Commissioners have been fielding complaints for some time, he told the Register last week. Learn more Commissioners scheduled a hearing at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in an effort to determine what can be done to bring all three offices back to normal working hours. The Register emailed all three office holders on Friday — Wilson, county auditor Rick Jeffrey and county recorder Ellie Olsen — asking about office hours. Wilson was the only one who responded. Jeffrey told commissioners he did not plan to attend Wednesday's hearing, saying it was not their business to inquire about office hours.