Two candidates running for Medina County recorder

Linda Hoffmann Joseph, 65 Party: Republican Education: She is a graduate of Medina High School. She also has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Dayton and has a juris doctor from the University of Cincinnati College of Law. Family: She is the widow of Steve Joseph, mother of two and has three grandchildren. Job history: She worked in various legal positions in the U.S. Attorney's Office in Cincinnati, the Medina County Common Pleas Court and Medina County Juvenile or Probate Court. She also spent 37 years as an attorney with Palecek, McIlvaine, Hoffmann & Morse in Wadsworth. She served as a Councilwoman-at-Large for the city of Medina for six years and she was appointed as Medina County Recorder in January 2021 and elected to the position in 2022. Website: lindahoffmann.net Donna Miller, 64 Party: Democrat Education: She has a bachelor's degree in public communication/journalism from Cleveland State University, an associate degree in animal health from the Columbus Technical Institute and she majored in biology at Case Western Reserve University for more than three years. Family: She is the mother of three adult daughters who were raised in Medina County, and she has a grandson. Job history: She is a retired newspaper reporter at The Plain Dealer from 1996 to 2015, the Akron Beacon Journal from 1993 to 1996 and a freelance writer from 1990 to 1993. Website: n/a MEDINA — Incumbent Linda Hoffmann and Donna Miller are the two candidates who are running for Medina County recorder this November. What makes you the best candidate for the position? Hoffmann: I have demonstrated my ability to serve as recorder the last four years. My experience includes providing excellent public service in timely recording of documents with digital access online back to 1980, hiring and supervising personnel, preparing the annual budget of over $600,000 and accounting for over $1.3 million in revenue. My knowledge as a former licensed title agent is a bonus. I am fiscally conservative and a dedicated public servant. I have been honored for my work ethic and integrity and bring those qualities to the position. Miller: I am the best candidate for the job because the office has been controlled for decades by the same party. I will let in fresh air, and I won't rubber stamp "the way things have always been done." What is the biggest challenge facing the county, and how would you address it? Hoffmann: My position does not permit me to address countywide challenges. My office responsibilities are dictated by Ohio law. In my recorder position, the challenge will be to continue to preserve prior records via digitization. The conversion of paper documents to digital format is an expensive process and funding will be a challenge. As with other employers, retaining good employees at a competitive wage to continue excellent customer service is critical. Miller: My biggest challenge at the recorder's office will be meeting my goal of informing every property owner in the county about the inexpensive ability to file a survivorship deed. That's a legal document that transfers ownership of your house to your survivor without the need for probate. Why tie up your property in court when the transfer can happen immediately? The current and previous recorders have failed to educate the public about that option. Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.