Wayne Allen | Daily Times

Gail Alley (center) was sworn into the office of Scioto County Recorder Friday afternoon. She was sworn in by Portsmouth Municipal Judge Steven Mowery (left) holding a bible is Alley’s husband Duke.

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Wayne Allen

PDT Staff Writer

Gail Alley was sworn into her first term as Scioto County Recorder Friday by Portsmouth Municipal Judge Steven Mowery in the rotunda of the Scioto County Court House.

Alley said she and her staff are bringing a lot of experience to the office.

“Today means the end of a long journey. I never thought I would be where I am today. When we started campaigning a year and a half ago, I did not know, because I had so many people running against me,” Alley said.

Alley was elected Scioto County Recorder in the November General Election. She said she is excited to take on this new role and responsibility.

“We have a great group of people working in the recorder’s office. Some of us have been working together in that office for 20 years,” Alley said.

She said one of the first things on the agenda is to hire an additional person for the office and work to get records online.

“We also want to look into getting our records online. That’s one thing that everybody requested and I told them I could not promise anything but that I would look into it,” Alley said. “It’s likely going to cost $20,000 - $30,000 to get all of our records online. Hopefully with the grant writers and the economic development people, we can find grants out there to help us.”

She said getting the office’s records online is the biggest challenge currently facing the recorder’s office.

“I’m excited about the future and I thank Scioto County for giving me the opportunity,” Alley said.

According to the county’s website, County Recorder is, “the keeper and protector of the most vital records in the County; therefore, it is the most valuable library. Is charged by law with the exacting duty of keeping the record books required by law, to be kept. The Recorder and Deputies must have knowledge of more than forty different legal instruments that are recorded or filed in their care. These records are vital to every person in the County - each property owner, every business and to the State and Federal governments.”

Records kept by the recorder’s office includes, Mortgages, Power of Attorney, Leases of all types Armed Service Discharge, Soldier’s Grave registrations. Liens such as Federal, State, Unemployment Compensation, Personal Property Tax. Other records include, Cancellation or assignment of mortgages or leases. Articles of Agreement, Fence Partitions, Certificates of Merger of Corporations and Amendments to Article of Corporation, Limited Partnership Associations and many others.

Alley follows long-time Scioto County Recorder Irene Ashley who retired at the end of 2012 after 60 years of service in the recorders office.

For more information about the Scioto County Recorders office call 740-355-8304.

Wayne Allen may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 228, or wallen@heartlandpublications.com.