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Candidates tout experience in register of deeds race

Photo

Photo by Terry Mayer

Sue Finster, left, and Donna Pruess are vying for Walworth County register of deeds in the Nov. 6 election.

ELKHORN — Two Walworth County employees are vying for the register of deeds position in the Nov. 6 election.

Sue Finster is a clerk in the Walworth County register of deeds office, where she’s worked for 10 years.

Donna Pruess is a Walworth County real property lister — a department that was recently relocated in the register of deeds office.

The winner will take over for incumbent Connie Woolever, a 14-year veteran of the office who isn’t seeking re-election. The new term will begin in January.

Finster said her decade of experience in the office has made her knowledgeable with procedures, programs and state statutes that guide the way the office records and issues birth, death, marriage and real estate documents.

She said her experience also has helped her as the office has gone through changes.

“Over the past few years, budget cuts have been felt in our office through a reduction in staff size,” she said. “That is one reason I intend to keep well informed of new computer software.

“The best programs will assist both the staff and public with easier access to our documents. At one time we took pictures of our paper documents. Now documents can be submitted electronically. These computer programs have allowed us to do more work with fewer people and become a ‘greener’ office.”

Pruess said technology has become a part of every aspect of the office, and state regulations are governing more of the way the vital records are handled.

She would like to increase the office’s efficiency.

“I would continue the cross-training of the department staff,” Pruess said. “I feel that it’s very important to have all employees trained in each aspect of the office functions. I would ask for suggestions from the staff to see if they have any ideas on how to make the office more efficient.”

Biographical information about the two candidates follows:

Sue Finster

Age: 49

Address: 308 N. Jackson St., Elkhorn

Party: Democrat

Job: clerk in Walworth County register of deeds office

Education: Delavan-Darien High School graduate; Viterbo College, Blackhawk Technical College, degree in data processing

Community service: not applicable

Elected positions: none

Donna R. Pruess

Age: 56

Address: 625 S. Balsam Drive, Elkhorn

Party: Republican

Job: Walworth County real property lister. My job is to keep ownership, assessment and tax information for more than 65,000 parcels. My department is located within the register of deeds office.

Education: Elkhorn Area High School graduate; Gateway Technical Institute, associate degree in accounting

Community service: serving a two-year term on the Matheson Memorial Library Board of Trustees

Elected positions: none

For more election coverage, including Assembly districts 32 and 43, and other races on the ballot, see the Oct. 28 print or e-edition of Walworth County Sunday.