Current Deputy Barton County Register of Deeds Glennda French was picked as the new county register of deeds to replace her boss, the retiring Pam Wornkey. The selection came as the Barton County Republican Precinct Committee members meet for a convention at the Best Western Angus Inn Poolside Room Thursday night to name a successor.
Wornkey, who will leave her post as of Sept. 1, has served in the office since 2013 when she replaced Marcia Johnson who retired. Wornkey was last reelected to a four-year term in the November 2020 general election.
French will fill out the balance of this term which ends in January 2025. She would then be eligible to run for election.
The committee elected French from a field of three candidates who had applied for the position.
All three of the applicants had experience in the Register of Deeds Office. The others included Susan Williams, a one-time deputy register, and Julie Peterson, a one-time clerk in the office.
It was Wornkey who nominated French. “She is very capable of stepping into this position with a smooth transition,” she said.
The office is about more than merely filing property documents, Wornkey said. French is up to date on office operations, software and regulations.
French has continued her education, both hands-on in the office and through other educational opportunities. She understands budgeting, audits, compliance with federal regulations and human resources, and works well with vendors, county officials and the public.
“She will maintain the integrity of the office,” Wornkey said. “Glennda’s heart is in the right place.”
“With her guidance, I feel (Wornkey) has prepared me to be the register of deeds,” French said. She started with the county in 2018 in the Treasurer’s Office before transferring to the deeds office.
French said she has earned the respect of county personnel and the community at large, adding she will tap her multi-tasking and organizational skills. “I value the hands-on training and experience I have had. I will strive to learn all the duties and responsibilities of the Register of Deeds Office.”
Starting things into motion, Wornkey sent a letter announcing her retirement intentions to county officials and to Barton County Republican Committee Chairman Dick Friedeman who had 21 days call a convention of the Republican Precinct Committee. This was a countywide position so the gathering included all committee members, of which there are currently about 58, most of whom where present Thursday night.
French’s name will be submitted to Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly who has seven days to finalize the appointment, and if no action is taken, she automatically assumes the office. Friedeman said, however, this is just a formality and the governor “is obligated to appoint who we select.”
The Register of Deeds Office is the place people come to record documents, research records and get their passport. Governed by state statute, the primary function of the office is the recording of real estate related documents, deeds, mortgages, assignments of mortgages or other interests in real estate, easements, or other documents involving real estate.
