By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Both candidates vying for the position of Wood County Recorder want to see an end to the current term of the office marked by controversies over a change in the indexing of land records, and the absence of the recorder in the elected office.
On the November ballot are Republican Connor Rose, of Bowling Green, and Democrat Jeremy Schroeder, of Weston. Both pledge to make the recorder’s office more user-friendly for the public and for businesses dealing with real estate transactions. And both vow to be in the office full-time.
Rose, 28, a licensed realtor and auctioneer, said he knows how the recorder’s office should function. Schroeder, 40, a graphic designer and small town mayor, said he knows about public service.
Connor Rose entered the world of real estate right out of high school, and has been a dual licensed realtor and auctioneer for five years.
“I’m passionate about real estate,” he said. “I’ll bring my expertise to the job.”
If elected, Rose said his priorities would be increasing transparency in the office, improving efficiency and safeguarding property rights.
To do that, he plans to look at the possibility of reinstating the geographic indexing of land records in the office. It was the switch by current county recorder, Jim Matuszak, to an owner indexing system that led Rose to challenge Matuszak in the Republican primary election.
Many involved in land transactions in the county protested the indexing change. The name-based system is open to spelling errors and has resulted in title companies missing mortgages while conducting title searches, Rose said.
If elected, he would like the office to return to the geographic system.
“It’s not taking a step backwards,” he said, but rather a step toward greater accessibility.
Rose also cited the loss of many long-time employees in the record’s office over the last four years. He would focus on maintaining recorder’s employees.
And he vowed to bring fresh ideas to the office.
“I’m able to bring a fresh perspective, a lot of vigor and energy.”
In addition to real estate, Rose has a passion for music and a tradition of performing at local nursing homes at Christmas time. He has also donated his auctioneering services to several local non-profit groups. This year he has performed auctions for 4-H livestock at the Wood County Fair, the Healing Barn horse rescue program, and the Ladies Conquering Cancer Gala.
Rose currently serves as a State of Ohio Realtor Director, and as a Wood County Residential Board of Appeals member. He previously served as vice chairperson of the Northwest Ohio Realtors Grievance Committee, and chairperson of the Northwest Ohio Realtors Young Professional Network.
Jeremy Schroeder, who is in his third term as mayor of Weston, works as a graphic designer and computer programmer. A self-described “data nerd,” he loves to “wrangle in data.”
His admiration for public service has pushed him in the direction of government work.
“I started just going to council meetings,” and something clicked. “I just really enjoy the public service aspect. It feels more wholesome to me.”
As a small town mayor, Schroeder sees his role as more than meeting the basic requirements addressed in the Ohio Revised Code.
“I see my role as engaging the community,” he said.
And that has included working to re-open the village reservoir, creating a village tree budget, and creating a baseball program. And sometimes that has included filling in for town employees and picking up old Christmas trees and brush.
“I take that role really seriously,” he said.
Schroeder’s experience in local government will be helpful as county recorder, he said, noting plans to seek opportunities to work closer with small villages and townships.
Schroeder acknowledged some pending issues in the courts over his delinquent municipal taxes. He said he has been working with a tax professional to take care of the delinquencies.
“It’s a long process,” he said.
But Schroeder stressed his commitment to his community and its nearly 1,600 residents. In addition to all village council meetings, he also attends most of the council committee meetings, and citizen committee meetings on issues like parks and recreation, and sports initiatives. The village is in the process of creating an historical society, he added.
Schroeder also serves on the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments Board of Directors as liaison for Weston.
If elected, Schroeder would like to see the recorder’s office function better and be more personable to the public.
He addressed the turmoil in the recorder’s office when a new system was installed that many found to be cumbersome to use.
“The old system was just old. It was probably maintained past its useful life. But everyone was used to the system,” Schroeder said.
“I want to make the office accommodating to every citizen,” he said.
