Thank You, Geauga
To the residents of Geauga County:
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your trust in me during the past 12 years.
Due to Recorder-Elect Celesta Mullins’s management skills, I was able to accomplish many things as Geauga County Recorder. I am leaving this office in very competent hands.
My first big project was the discovery of the Book of Indentured Servants that was hidden away in archives. I transcribed, scanned and put it on my website. The “servants” were children whose families could not afford to care for them, so they were indentured to a family who would raise them and teach them a trade. There was an official contract between the family and the township trustees.
The Good Deeds Program was a strong program that helped residents learn about their estate matters. I spent countless hours working on that project. Special thanks go to all the attorneys who reviewed them pro bono for the program. Our attorneys are the best.
Step two of that program was bringing it to recorders across the state, who now host the program with judges and/or local attorneys. It was very rewarding for me personally to see not just Geauga, but residents statewide learn about their property ownership and how to avoid court when a loved one has passed.
In 2013, we implemented a Veterans ID Card Program. I personally issued the cards in my office and helped other recorders start the program. I learned more about the history of our country in that setting than I ever did in school. Thank you, veterans, for that privilege.
I brought eRecording to the county. I was met with a lot of resistance on that one, and it took me two years to get past the hurdles that were thrown at me.
Our indexes are now online and, through a concentrated effort at back-scanning and indexing, thousands of documents are now easier to access digitally.
I started the Ohio Historical Family Farm Program in Geauga. It was exciting to help longtime landowners trace their families and achieve historical farm status. I truly enjoyed getting to know all of our wonderful farming families in Geauga.
In my role as recorder, I was able to work with Totally Dogs 4-H to raise funds for the Geauga Dog Shelter until COVID struck.
Thank you to the Geauga County Bar Association for allowing me to be a member of the Grievance Committee. I enjoyed every minute of it.
Special thanks to former Recorder Margie McBride Bonk. We have emailed almost every day since my first election. She has been a wealth of knowledge and support.
I struggled through two years of cancer treatment that began in 2015. While those were some rough times, I was thankful to have this job.
I will miss the visiting dogs, the people and the work. I will not miss the political games, which were brutal at times.
Thank you again for voting for me, for supporting me, for allowing me these years to try to help the people of Geauga — and for your prayers. I appreciate every one of you.
Just remember, you can do anything you want. You can overcome anything life throws at you. Continue to push through and you will reach your goals.
It has been my pleasure to serve you.
Sharon C. Gingerich
Geauga County Recorder
Uplifting Service
Thank you, citizens of Ohio’s 18th Senate District, for allowing me to serve as your State Senator for over 9 years. I am sure I cannot express what an honor and privilege it has been. Your confidence and support have encouraged me. Your engagement in our communities has inspired and humbled me. Your willingness to speak out, and to listen, have strengthened my confidence in our system of government and the role that decency, integrity and responsibility can and should play in it. In a word, you all have uplifted me.
More importantly, you have demonstrated the sort of spirit, grit, pride and devotion to liberty that is destined to make Ohio the greatest place in America to live, work and raise a family.
If any good comes of my service, it will be grounded in that. If I have made mistakes or erred in my judgments (and I am human enough to know each is inevitable), I apologize and pray that the consequences are ultimately benign.
Given my lack of experience and the limits of my capacities when I assumed office, I must think that the constancy of your support has made me a better public servant; but, I know it has made me a better person, and I am most grateful for that.
Please show to my successors the same kindness and support you have shown to me and our system. When you do, I am confident, all shall be well. God Bless you all, the State of Ohio and the United States of America.
John Eklund
R-Munson Township
