slideshow

Wayne Allen

Common Staff Writer

Irene Ashley has spent the last 60 years working in the Scioto County Recorders office. She is set to retire at the end of the year. Gail Alley was recently elected to take her place.

“I started in the recorders office in 1952; I’ve been recorder since 1984. I was honored by the state a couple of weeks ago for my many years of service,” Ashley said.

Ashley said when she first joined the recorders office she was a deputy recorder.

“In 1979 I was made chief deputy by then recorder Harold Hanes. Then in 1984 I run for office and have been there ever since, as Scioto County Recorder” Ashley said. “I’ve seen a lot of things change over the years. We’ve gone from all handwriting and typewriters to computers. When I started working in the recorders office I made $35 a week. A lot has changed.”

Ashley said she has a lot of favorite memories of her time in the recorders office.

“Harold Hanes was the late recorder and he was fantastic, he taught me well. I knew every job in the office and have worked with good people,” Ashley said. “I’ve had a wonderful career I’ve enjoyed it.”

For the past 75 years, Scioto County has had two Recorders — Hanes and Ashley.

Alley defeated republican Bill Warnock. Alley received 16,492 votes or 57.95 percent. Warnock received 11, 968 votes or 42.05 percent, in the November General Election.

Alley currently serves as a deputy recorder and started in the office in 1991.

”I’ve done pretty much everything in the office from running copies to stamping papers to helping Irene with the budget,” Alley said. “I’ve also had experience in ordering necessary supplies and talking to salesmen about our computers and copiers.”

When it comes to future plans, Alley said, “My future plans include getting records online. In Ohio, there are only 27 counties of the 88 counties do not have online records. A lot of people have asked me about that,” Alley said. “A lot of it (getting records online) has to do with finical difficulties; there have been a lot of requests for that.”

For more information about the Scioto County Recorders office visit, www.sciotocountyohio.com/recorder.html or call 740-355-8304.

Wayne Allen may be reached at 740-353-1151, or wallen@communitycommon.com.