Lane familiar with county clerk duties

The voters of Jefferson County will be choosing a new county clerk. The contest pits a candidate with little experience in public office administration (Gertrude Karris) against a candidate who has worked in the clerk's office for over 30 years and is currently the deputy county clerk (Cheryl Lane).

I have worked with Cheryl for the past 20 years, and I can assure voters that she is an excellent candidate for the position, as well as a wonderful human being.

The county clerk is responsible for a number of vital functions within county government, the motor vehicles department being only one of many, albeit the most familiar to voters. The learning curve of the position is very steep and is to be measured in years rather than months. The past 20 years under the leadership of retiring Clerk JoAnn Wilder have been the most progressive in the history of the local clerk's office. Cheryl Lane has been an integral part of the modernization of this important office and is well prepared to carry on the good work begun by Mrs. Wilder.

The current clerk has studied many other ways to improve services. What the average voter does not know is this: Although the clerk is an elected position, the office is far from autonomous. The operating budget must be approved by the county Board of Legislators, and Department of Motor Vehicle operations are under the control of the state bureau in Albany.

There are many considerations about ideas like satellite DMV offices. Yes, they can be created, but not only must the sites meet strict state guidelines, they require equipment, staffing, rent and utilities — all financial factors. A prudent clerk must balance those factors against user convenience when making such a decision.

Cheryl Lane has spent most of her 33-year career in the clerk's office working in the DMV and fully knows its possibilities as well as its limitations. She will certainly revisit many ideas to improve any part of the clerk's operation, as well as consider new ones. Jefferson County's citizens will be very well-served by electing Cheryl Lane the next Jefferson County clerk.

Tony Crupi Jr.

Black River