County clerk

Jefferson County Clerk JoAnn M. Wilder will leave a much different office than she inherited 20 years ago, when she made her first bid for elective office.

She has overseen computerization of the office, which also processes passport applications and maintains public records on land transactions, mortgages, deeds, liens and civil and criminal court cases. The offices have been renovated.

But one of her main accomplishments has been reducing the long lines many residents remember when they sought to renew their driver's license or register their new car. That was helped by opening a Department of Motor Vehicle branch office on Fort Drum serving the military community, which can often require a greater level of service to deal with New York requirements when they move into the state.

However, Mrs. Wilder is not seeking a sixth term, setting up a race between Republican Cheryl D. Lane and Democrat Gertrude M. Karris. Mrs. Lane is also on the Conservative and Independent lines.

Mrs. Karris has administrative experience in the private sector and has been Sackets Harbor's village clerk since June 2007. But it does not measure up to Mrs. Lane's 33 years in the county clerk's office that has gained her an understanding of the day-to-day operations of all facets of the office. Mrs. Lane joined the office staff in 1976 and has worked with Mrs. Wilder throughout her tenure. She is so well regarded by Mrs. Wilder that the retiring county clerk switched to the Republican Party to endorse the woman she appointed deputy county clerk in July. Prior to that, Mrs. Lane had been an audit clerk for 18 years.

There is always room for improvement, but costly proposals, such as those expanding DMV services — the favored target of critics — must be tempered by the fiscal realities of the county. Mrs. Lane has an insider's perspective on what works and will not work. She can step into the post on Jan. 1 in a smooth transition to carry on the work begun under Mrs. Wilder.

The Times recommends Cheryl Lane for Jefferson County clerk.