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Sherri Griffith: Candidate Profile

Cook Recorder of deeds (Republican)

Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: ChicagoWebsite: http://sherri4recorder.comOffice sought: Cook Recorder of deedsAge: 48Family: Divorced, Two teenage childrenOccupation: Sales and Marketing ProfessionalEducation: De Paul University, BS Marketing 1989 Spertus College, MS Administration 1996Civic involvement: West Chatham Planning Association 2008-present Block Club 2008-present RNC 2008Elected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NOCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Eliminating waste in Cook CountyKey Issue 2 Creating a better future for our YouthKey Issue 3 To promote ethical and honest leadership in Cook CountyQuestions Answers What changes would you propose to improve the operation of the office of the recorder of deeds? Why?The first imperative is the automate and modernize the operations in the office. From the moment a document is received it can be verified, recorded and available for use online immediately. The software already exist to minimize this practice from the current 5 days it takes in the current office, to minutes. There also needs to be a complete review of the state of information in the micro fiche files, so that it can be copied into computerized files to prevent a loss of information that represents pre-1970's documents. The micro fiche documents are in a state of deterioration and they need to be cared for because it holds valuable, historical information. Doing so will save time and give a positive face to the operations of the office and in the end save money. There also needs to be a complete overall of the management staff in order to determine where duplication of efforts can be eliminated to create a more efficient staff. Another improvement would be training and development for all staff, including management, in customer service, and a cross-training program so that all staff can perform all duties pertaining to recording of documents and new computer operations. There are other improvements that can be made, but it would be unrealistic to reference them without physically in the office.What is your view of the recorder of deeds' web site? What, if any, changes would you recommend to improve it?The website for the recorder of deed is not designed for ease of use. It is outdated, confusing and not easy to navigate. The information is not complete, and at times, incorrect. This website has not been updated in several years. This is un-acceptable to the end-user when businesses rely on gathering information to service their customers, the tax-payers of Cook County. I would replace the site entirely and put in place new one that relies on udated software to increase the efficiency of use to prevent fraud, and to save time and money for everyone.What changes in office operations do you propose to improve transparency and public access?Everything begins with the website where information is available for use to the public. Once information is loaded onto the site and can be viewed, then feedback can dictate where further improvement is needed. The STAR report I believe does a good job of evaluating the performance of county offices to provide transparency. Once elected, I would choose a management team that can be trusted to run operations with ethical and honest practices, so the public can know that we're there to serve them.What improvements should be made to the office's and the county's ethics rules? What is your view of whether employees should be able to donate to the recorder? What should the office's policy be on nepotism and why?There should be no practice of nepotism in government. The best person for the job should be the person that gets the job. This is an un-ethical practice in hiring for public offices. Employees should not be asked, required, nor allowed to donate to the recorder. This leads me to reference the Shakman Decree. One of my main goals in being elected is to show that Chicago patronage is on the downturn. I want to promote more ethical and honest government where we don't have recycled politicians locking up the county government offices where they pile on more pensions, create more corruption and deliver a lower quality of life for the citizens of Cook County. Our youth deserve a better future.Can this office meet budget goals set forth by Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle without compromising services? Is so, how? If not, what alternative do you propose?I know that the office can meet the budget goals of the 2012 budget and beyond. In fact, this office can cut money from the budget by making improvements to the delivery of services and by creating a well trained, efficient staff.