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Mahoning RECORDER RACE Democrats nominate Palermo
YOUNGSTOWN
The only contested race for a Mahoning County office produced a victory for Noralynn Palermo, the Democratic Party’s endorsed candidate, who ran for re-election as recorder.
Palermo, of Youngstown, who has been county recorder for the past 81/2 years, was challenged by James Bertrando, of Struthers, who has been Struthers tax commissioner and public records commission chairman since 2008.
Palermo won 71 percent to 29 percent for Bertrando.
It was Bertrando’s first run for elected office.
“I’m just thankful to the voters of Mahoning County, and I’m honored to have their vote,” Palermo said.
“I know that Mahoning County voters are smart voters and they would make the right choice,” she added.
Palermo, who prided herself on her knowledge and experience in the recorder’s office, has worked there since 1974.
She served as deputy recorder and administrative assistant in that office before being appointed recorder in 2007, when Ron Gerberry left to fill a vacancy in the Ohio House of Representatives.
Palermo said she believes she runs an efficient recorder’s office with a staff of six, including herself, and prided herself on offering good customer service and accountability.
Bertrando said he wanted to modernize the recorder’s office, improve the accessibility of its documents, expand communication with other county officeholders and better educate county residents and the business and professional community concerning the operation of the recorder’s office.
Bertrando could not be reached for comment on Tuesday’s election results.
Bertrando said he wanted to see the Mahoning County Recorder’s Office, which offers online searches only for its indexes, also offer online document image searches and e-filing, which are provided by the Trumbull County Recorder’s Office.
Palermo said initiating e-filing of certain documents is one of her priorities.
The recorder’s office maintains permanent records of all documents pertaining to conveyance and encumbrance of land in the county and makes them accessible to the public.
The recorder, who earns $65,262 a year, also serves on the county records commission, which authorizes retention and disposal of county records.
Using document filing fees, scanning of Mahoning County’s bound deed books is continuing this month, and e-filing of documents should begin sometime this summer, Palermo said. She said she is working with the county tax map and geographic information service departments on the scanning of land parcel maps drawn up before 1985.