Comments I've heard from users of the Register of Deeds office

In the weeks leading up to the Republican primary election for Register of Deeds on July 20, I was approached by lots of folks who wanted to talk about the office. I do believe the office can be improved in substanial ways and it needs to start from the top. So I made a point to scratch them down.

Here are some of the comments I've accumulated over the last month alone..............

“ Ms. Payne talks about it operating her office without taxpayer dollars and that is wrong. I pay taxes and part of that 9 million in revenue is coming out of my pocket.”

"The office charges too much for 25 cent copies. The statute says a "reasonable charge". .25 is not reasonable"

“There is no sense of privacy when you use the office”

“The office itself is bland, furniture old, too much open space, no plants or pictures on wall, and it is just not pleasing to look at..”

“If you go to Wake and Forsyth counties, a third grader can see the difference. I went to Forsyth and the Register of Deeds recorded my document. I’ve never seen that happen in Guilford County”

“ Ms. Payne talks about it operating without taxpayer dollars that is wrong. I pay taxes and part of that 9 million in revenue is coming out of my pocket.”

“There is no sense of privacy when you use the office”

“The office itself is bland, furniture old, too much open space, no plants or pictures on wall, and it is just not pleasing to look at..”

“If you go to Wake and Forsyth counties, a third grader can see the difference. I went to Forsyth and THE Register of Deeds recorded my document. I’ve never seen that happen in Guilford County”

“I was the only person in line, and had to take a number”

“The online system is not easy to navigate.”

“The people who use the office regularly don’t have a problem now because they are the only ones who understand things.”

“I wanted to take my oath to become a notary public. I could not figure out where to go. No signs or anything.”

“The hallway going to the deeds office is like an airport terminal entrance”

“I have used offices in Forsyth, Rockingham, and Wake counties. They are so much better. I dread going into the Deeds office in Guilford.”

“The only time I see Ms. Payne is during an election year”

“The computers are out of the 70’s and the furniture is out of the 50’s.”

“The Deeds office has an excellent staff. Ms. Payne does not know what she is doing. She has not progressed”.

“Accessing plats are pretty good because Guilford County GIS runs it. Ms. Payne has nothing to do with it.”

“I feel like the office does not serve attorneys well. People need to understand that attorneys are working for citizens.”“I was the only person in line, and had to take a number”

“The online system is not easy to navigate.”

“The people who use the office regularly don’t have a problem now because they are the only ones who understand things.”

“I wanted to take my oath to become a notary public. I could not figure out where to go. No signs or anything.”

“The hallway going to the deeds office is like an airport terminal entrance”

“I have used offices in Forsyth, Rockingham, and Wake counties. They are so much better. I dread going into the Deeds office in Guilford.”

“The only time I see Ms. Payne is during an election year”

“The computers are out of the 70’s and the furniture is out of the 50’s.”

“The Deeds office has an excellent staff. Ms. Payne does not know what she is doing. She has not progressed”.

“Accessing plats are pretty good because Guilford County GIS runs it. Ms. Payne has nothing to do with it.”

“I feel like the office does not serve attorneys well. People need to understand that attorneys are working for citizens.”

These are real issues and they should be talked about.

In the coming days I'll be listing a Register of Deeds 101 course that I hope with be eduational and informative for all to see! It'll be a good primer for discussion.