Republicans to consider Bourbon County register of deeds candidates

FORT SCOTT, Kan. -- The Bourbon County Republican Central Committee plans to meet at 7 p.m., Tuesday, in the Administration Building at Fort Scott Community College to consider applicants for the county's register of deeds position.

The purpose of the meeting, in the Heritage Room, is to hold a convention to elect someone to be appointed by Gov. Sam Brownback to fill the vacancy left by former Bourbon County Register of Deeds Sharon Elder, who has resigned, effective April 1.

"We're taking applications for register of deeds," Committee Chairman Chris Maycumber said. "It's only the committee who selects a person, then it goes on to the state. The governor can send it back if he doesn't approve."

After hearing from all applicants at the convention, committee members will vote by secret ballot and the candidate who receives the majority of votes will be elected at the meeting to fill Elder's term, which expires in 2012. After that time, the person who fills the term may choose to run for the position, Committee Secretary Joanne Long said.

Elder began working in the register of deeds office in 1990, ran for the position and was elected in 2000, and was officially sworn into the position in 2001, Long said.

Maycumber said the committee is looking to appoint a candidate, preferably with related experience, to fulfill the remainder of Elder's term.

"They'll be signed into office to fulfill the end of the term," he said. "We're (committee) making a recommendation to the governor to fulfill the term."

Long said the governor usually recommends the candidate elected by the committee. The position is being filled by a Republican committee as that is the party Elder represents. The committee is designed to fill vacancies, should they occur.

Maycumber said the Tuesday meeting is an "open call" for people interested in the position, and the committee will not know how many applicants they will be hearing from "until they (applicants) show up."

Those who wish to be considered for the position should appear at the meeting to state their case to the committee.

Maycumber said the committee should be "looking strongly at people with experience," but he didn't think experience was required for the position.

"They should be familiar with the process," he said. "It's (experience) not required but highly recommended. We won't put someone in there who doesn't know anything about being register of deeds."

About seven precinct committee members are expected to be present at the meeting and will make their selection via a silent vote, Long said.