A 6 Pack of Questions for County Candidates- Register of Deeds

Today we pose our 6 queries to the candidates for Register of Deeds.
Once again, early voting begins this Saturday and runs through Sunday, August 4th. Election Day is Tuesday, August 6th. Absentee Ballots can be obtained until Monday, August 5th at 4pm.
“There is no more vital right in a democracy than the right to vote. Without it, no other right is secure.”-Lawrence Goldstone

Stewart Sanders
Born and raised in the White Cloud area, I graduated from White Cloud, Ferris State College with a bachelor's in mathematics, and Central Michigan University (MA) administration.  I taught Senior mathematics at Newaygo High School and for Baker College. Upon retirement from teaching, I was appointed to the role of Register of Deeds in 2014.  I have been married to my wife Cindy for 47 years.  We have two grown children and two grandchildren.  We live on the family’s 130-year-old farm.

Kelly Pangburn
My name is Kelly Pangburn and I'm running for Newaygo County Register of Deeds.
I'm the owner and real estate broker of Pangburn Properties, Inc. real estate agency.
I've been selling real estate for nearly 30 years. I started Pangburn Properties, Inc. 22 years ago and in 2005 I purchased a commercial building in downtown Grant where my office is located and have been serving clients from this location ever since.
The experience I gained during the housing market recession, being heavily immersed in a plethora of foreclosures, deeds in lieu, short sales, property tax foreclosures, along with working as a real estate broker for HUD (Housing and Urban Development), taught me the ins and outs of what to expect as your next Register of Deeds.
Putting the recession aside, throughout my career I've utilized the Register of Deeds to research property deeds, recorded surveys, trusts, legal descriptions, judgements of divorce, chains of title, mortgages, covenants, land restrictions, site condo by-laws, sheriffs deeds, and bankruptcies. I've also utilized Mapping and Description along with Equalization over the years to ensure any splits, permanent parcel numbers and legal descriptions are accurate and can be recorded. All of this research is required of me as a real estate professional and has placed me in a unique position for a Register of Deeds candidate.
I have the unique ability to understand most legal terminology. I am well versed in technology language and have the ability to create websites. I have a keen eye for design and creativity. I also have managerial, accounting, and budgeting experience and I consider myself highly organized. 
 It would be a great honor to be elected as your next Register of Deeds.

Why are you running?
Pangburn:
I am running because I've been serving the people of Newaygo County for the past 30 years in their real estate needs. I am the owner and broker of Pangburn Properties, Inc. real estate agency and I believe the Register of Deeds needs someone with my type of  expertise. I am running because I want to serve my community and what better role for me to serve than the Register of Deeds!

Sanders:
It has been my honor to hold the office of Newaygo County Register of Deeds for these past 10 years and I am thankful for the trust you have bestowed on me.  My team and I are working on several new projects along with the critical job of always working to protect the public record.  If elected I would like to see these new initiatives  realized which will enhance the information for our constituents. 

What makes you the best candidate?
Sanders:
I have 10 years’ working experience as the County’s Register of Deeds and have extensive knowledge and background regarding the State of Michigan recording requirements.
I was able to introduce Electronic Recording of documents to save time and money as well as initiating Free Fraud Alert Service.   My team and I are proud that our documents are fully digitized, redundantly protected, and that the public record is safe.  I am always working to find best practices to help secure the public record.

Pangburn:
I bring a great deal of experience to this position. I have nearly 30 years of experience in the real estate industry, with a brokerage business background. I understand legal terminology, have the ability to plot legal descriptions and have a great deal of technology know how. I've been serving the people of Newaygo County for many years and will continue to do so, if you so graciously elect me. I will be able to step into this position on day one understanding how and what the Register of Deeds role is and I will effectively perform my duty. I will be representing all the people of Newaygo County and understand I work for you. 

What do you see as the 3 main responsibilities of the post you are seeking?
Pangburn:
#1. Great customer service.  #2. Communication.  #3. Safeguarding our records from cybercrime. 

Sanders:
To continue, first – class, friendly and helpful customer service.
To record any recordable document according to State standards pertaining to real property in Newaygo County.
To pursue new technologies and best practices that will enhance the input, storage, and retrieval of information.

How will you serve or better serve the public, if elected or reelected?
Sanders:
I will continue to educate our constituents about the role of the Register of Deeds in their lives.  I, along with our Register of Deeds legislative committee, have put together a new PowerPoint teaching tool regarding the Register of Deeds office.  My team and I are working on a new program to help our local Centennial farms procure the documentation necessary.  I am very excited about this initiative.

Pangburn:
I will be an effective communicator. 
I will ensure that technology improvements are being made at the Register of Deeds, as our technology is seriously outdated.
I will work to bring down costs to our constituents through innovation technology.
I will be the voice of the people by effectively communicating their needs and desires.
I will listen and I will hear you.   
I will collaborate with legislators, title companies, and lenders to effectively stop property fraud. 
I will collaborate with municipal authorities to protect our property rights.

County officials' responsibilities are not well known by the community members they serve.  How will you educate your constituents and help them stay informed?

Pangburn:
I think it would be great to be able to offer a subscription type monthly newsletter emailed to constituents informing them of the latest activities within the Register of Deeds office, legislative updates affecting them and/or the Register of Deeds office along with discussions taking place at MARD (Michigan Association of Register of Deeds). 
I would also like to hear from constituents allowing them the ability to communicate directly with me in regards to their questions and concerns. I believe community involvement is paramount. 
When new technology vendors are needed, I believe the constituents should be aware, offered the ability to give their input and recommendations, and transparency should be given at every step of the process. 
I will attend City Counsel and Township Board meetings regularly to communicate with constituents along with additional Board meetings where my presence is requested. I will also make regular press releases for Newaygo County publications to be shared with constituents regarding topics that affect their lives. 
I will make myself available for the people of Newaygo County, promising to return your calls and emails in a timely fashion. And I promise to listen. I would prefer to communicate to constituents about things that will affect their lives, I am not concerned with press releases praising myself. I believe constituents want to know how their lives will be affected by changes and are less concerned about how I intend to win another 4 year term. Another four year term will come through my ability to make progress at the Register of Deeds, actions speak louder than words. 
I will show up for work everyday and work for the people with an open door policy. I will make myself available for interviews and communications in every way possible.

Sanders:
As mentioned earlier, we have a new PowerPoint presentation that illustrates the role of the Register of Deeds office.  I will continue to seek opportunities to present this information around our County.  I am very excited to use this tool.  In addition, I am committed to reaching out to our local schools again to make sure our young people get exposed to this part of County government.

In your opinion what makes for an effective leader?
Sanders:
Effective leaders must have vision, passion, and a direction to lead their team in accomplishing stated goals.  An effective leader must empower his/her team to work as a unit in reaching those goals and providing support as necessary.

Pangburn:
I believe an effective leader listens. 
I believe an effective leader has the ability to strategize along with the tactical ability to implement a strategy by effectively communicating the strategy to others be it big or small.
I believe an effective leader should be able to see what the consumer sees and make course corrections when necessary.
I believe an effective leader should fully understand the strengths and weaknesses of employees within their office and be a helping hand not a dictator.
I believe an effective leader shows others they are willing to work just as hard as they do, leading by example.
I believe an effective leader should be creative and an out of the box thinker.
I believe an effective leader should be willing to listen to others opinions and have the discernment to recognize that someone else's idea may better than their own.   

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