By Roberta M. Gubbins
Legal News
Early on January 2nd, Barb Byrum, newly elected Ingham County Clerk, was sworn into office by Hon.Thomas Boyd, 55th District Court Judge. The ceremony took place at the Ingham County Courthouse in Mason, MI.
Byrum's past responsibilities representing the 67th District in the State House for six years and managing a small business prepared her for the many duties of a County Clerk. In her new position, she is responsible for keeping records of births, deaths, assumed names, co-partnerships, issuing and filing marriage licenses, processing gun permits and notary bonds. She is also the Clerk of the Circuit Court, a member of the Plat Board and the Election Commission.
Byrum predicts changes in the County Clerk's office beginning with her appointment of new people, Matt J. Solak and Kathleen O'Reilly Farhat.
Solak will serve as Chief Deputy Elections Coordinator. He worked for Byrum during her time in the legislature, leaving to work with an agency in Washington, DC before returning to his new position. He is Valparaiso University grad who calls Michigan home.
O'Reilly-Farhat, Clerical Services Supervisor, began working with Legislator Byrum in September of 2009. She graduated from Michigan State University, concentrating in Political Science.
"I think one of the changes you will see immediately," Byrum said, "is a stronger focus on customer service. I want everyone's experience to be positive in this office. We're also looking at efficiencies in the office. There are many things that are being done a certain way and we don't know why they are done that way and the statute does not require them to be done that way."
Byrum wants to streamline those services and utilize technology more, creating more of an on-line and social media presence for the office.
"I will be very accessible as will my team," she said.
The County Clerk is the chief Election Official in the County. As such, Byrum administers all election functions required by law. The Clerk's duties include the supervision of national, state, and local elections and the training of election workers in Ingham County communities with populations fewer than ten thousand. The Clerk is also responsible for the Administration of the Michigan Campaign Finance Reporting Act for candidates filing for office at the local level.
Byrum, who served on the House Committee on Redistricting and Elections, was a leader on election reform issues. She wants to improve the voting process in Ingham County.
"I hope to involve the League of Women Voter's and other non-political organizations when it comes to election issues to make sure that people are registered to vote and know where to vote."
Byrum also plans to provide more convenient service for county residents.
"There's no reason that someone in Lansing should need to drive down to Mason to handle business when they should be able to do it in downtown Lansing."
Byrum, while recognizing that "it will be an interesting challenge in the future," is looking "forward to the tasks ahead."
Byrum is a Michigan State University agri-business and law school graduate. She is also owner of Byrum True Value Hardware in Charlotte. She and her husband, Brad Delaney, Detective with the Ingham County Sheriff's Department have two sons, Blake, five years old and Bryce, three.
Published: Mon, Jan 7, 2013
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