Recorder plans Web access

The recorder is reluctant to make document images available in cyberspace.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LISBON -- Columbiana County Recorder Jeff Hochadel wants to establish an Internet presence for his office by midsummer.
A Web site now being planned would permit the public to electronically access indexes to the thousands of vital documents kept by the recorder's office.
With a few mouse clicks and keyboard strokes, computer users will be able to scrutinize indexes dating back to 1966.
The indexes contain information on property transactions, liens, leases, zoning resolutions and other papers kept by the recorder's office.
How it will work
Free computer searches can be mounted by feeding a person or company's name into the site. Even typing in a date range will produce a listing of documents recorded in that time frame.
A search will provide basic information related to a document and make available the volume and page number needed to find it at the recorder's office.
Inspecting the documents themselves, however, will still require a trip to the county courthouse, where the recorder's office is located.
The technology exists to make document images available on the Internet, Hochadel explained. But there's a privacy issue at stake, he added.
Many papers kept by the recorder's office contain individuals' Social Security numbers, which criminals can use to steal someone's identity.
Troubling issue
Documents that bear Social Security numbers are typically public records and available for personal inspection by anyone. But making those papers obtainable in cyberspace is troubling, Hochadel explained.
He's watching a measure pending in the Ohio Legislature that may address the issue by removing Social Security numbers from new public documents.
If it becomes law, then images of vital papers may eventually be posted on the recorder's Web site, he said.
There's no cost associated with putting the recorder's office online because its presence will be part of the county clerk of courts Web page, which already is operating, Hochadel said.
leigh@vindy.com