Chance files for Clerk
By Matt Shaw
Published in News on February 17, 2004 2:02 PM
Wayne County Register of Deeds John Chance announced Monday that he intends to run election this year.
Chance
Chance, a Democrat, was chosen by his party to serve out the last year of the unexpired term of Debbie Lane. Mrs. Lane retired at the end of November with 30 years of service to the county.
Chris West, a Republican, has also said that he will run for the office. The filing period will open April 26.
"I have enjoyed serving the people of our county as register of deeds, and I want to continue in the job," Chance said. "I have found the job to be challenging and rewarding."
He continued, "The staff are dedicated professionals who give 100 percent of their effort to that office every day. Wayne County is fortunate to have such a dedicated group of individuals, and I was certainly blessed that each of them decided to remain in my administration."
Chance completed a training course for registers of deeds that was held in November at the Institute of Government. That course covered the basics, Chance said, "but it does not prepare you for all the problems you face every day."
He has had to rely on the experience of his staff and other registers of deeds, he said, adding that he has joined the N.C. Association of Registers of Deeds and serves on its vital records committee.
Chance hopes to continue modernization efforts begun by Mrs. Lane. The deeds office has been increasingly putting information on its Web site, and Chance plans to make 35 years worth of deeds information available.
"This will allow attorneys doing title searches to work from their offices, and people who just want a copy of their deed to access that from home," he said. The goals are serving the public while also freeing staff to do other duties.
The deeds office already has a good reputation for handling documents quickly, he said. He is willing to invest in the technology and staff training to keep it.
"We want the register of deeds office to be one where all citizens can come, be treated with respect, get the service they need in the shortest time possible, and that service be correct," he said.
Chance announced three staff members in his campaign. Local lawyer Rebecca Kinsey and Kim Lewis Howard, owner of Lewis Insurance, will be the co-chairmen of the campaign. Ken Banks, a certified public accountant, has agreed to be treasurer.
"We welcome everyone to be a part of our effort," he said. "It makes no difference. We intend to reach out to Republicans and Democrats, rich and poor, young and old, urban and rural. This office serves all of Wayne County, and we want a campaign that reflects that as well."
Chance has been active in many community clubs and causes. He is president of the Mental Health Association in Wayne County. He's a past president of the Goldsboro Jaycees and exalted ruler of the Goldsboro Elks Lodge. An Eagle Scout, Chance has been a scoutmaster for more than a decade of Troop 2, which is sponsored by his church, St. Paul United Methodist Church.
Chance is married to the former Sue Weaver of Roseboro. They have two children: Will, 11, and Susan Kate, 8.