Coram files for register of deeds
By Matthew Whittle
Published in News on March 7, 2008 1:50 PM
Deciding on the last day of candidate filing to run in the Democratic primary for the Wayne County Register of Deeds seat in May, Constance Coram explained that she was motivated out of a desire to give back to her community.
"I attended an M.L.K. (Martin Luther King Jr.) breakfast and Gwendolyn Boyd was so dynamic in her speech, encouraging us to make some changes and go out and to do something and apply our God-given talents," she said. "And here was an opportunity for me to apply my talents.
"I think I'd be a good asset to the community."
It will be her first foray into politics as a candidate.
In previous election cycles she's helped out on various campaigns, including those of state Supreme Court justices, but, she said, "I never even thought of running for office myself."
Now, though, Coram, a past register of deeds office employee, explained that she wants to bring her experience and her customer service skills to a job where she believes improvement is needed. She worked there from October 2005 until June 2007.
"I feel comfortable knowing some of the needs of the register of deeds because I have some experience in that area," she said.
Specifically, she explained that she wants to work to increase staff knowledge and expertise, improve customer service, and increase cooperation between the office and the agencies and people both receiving and providing information, such as attorneys, funeral directors, the Veterans Affairs office, the county Health Department and the county Clerk of Courts office.
"There is a need to improve communication to get proper information where it's needed," she said. "A lot of the time we were unable to assist because we just didn't know where to go."
The job of the registrar is to oversee the office's nine employees as they catalogue birth and death certificates, issue and catalogue marriage certificates, administer oaths and monitor renewal status for notaries, and record and index military discharges, real estate transactions, powers of attorneys, leases and separation agreements.
Coram also said she wants to work to include them in more of the county's employee training programs and its health and wellness efforts
"I want to try to maintain a team environment and build better office morale," she said. "I really enjoyed my time with the register of deeds. I believe I was a good asset, and I believe I'll be good for this position."
She'll be running against fellow Democrat, incumbent Lois Mooring.