Both candidates believe they have the background and knowledge for the register's position.
Democrat Mary Olberding is competing with independent George R. Zimmerman for Hampshire County Register of Deeds.
NORTHAMPTON - Mary Olberding, a human resources manager, believes her background combined with understanding the future needs of the Hampshire County Registry of Deeds make her an ideal candidate for register.
City Treasurer George R. Zimmerman believes his background in real estate and law make him the better candidate.
Olberding, a Democrat, and Zimmerman, an independent, are vying for the post in the Nov. 6 election.
Long-time register Marianne L. Donohue retired in September 2011, after 23 years. Her assistant, Patricia A. Plaza, has filled the $90,000-a-year post since then. The term ends Jan. 4.
“My experience managing is in transitions. That’s what the registry will be doing,” Olberding said, as it moves to electronic filings. She said she managed such a conversion at Corporate Software in Norwood.
The ability to file electronically will be especially helpful to people who live on the geographic edges of the county, said Olberding who lives in Belchertown and serves on the town Finance Committee.
“All of the property records are a collective history of the county. The important thing to remember is each person’s record is a person’s life. It’s important to use care in the managing of those records,” said Olberding, who has a degree in history and a love for the subject.
But while much of the recording will become electronic, she believes there will continue to be a need for a physical building and a staff to answer questions, provide training and back up documents,” she said.
Olberding who is from Ohio has been a lifelong Democrat. She said she discovered how much she wants to serve from working on Northwestern District Attorney David E. Sullivan’s successful campaign in 2010.
“As a candidate you run on a platform being loyal to the party should account for something.”
She beat two challengers for the party’s nomination in September.
Zimmerman, Northampton’s Treasurer, is running as an Independent because during 40 years as a voter, he’s been an independent for 32, he said. “I thought it reflected who I am more accurately,” he said.
He had considered running for the office about six years ago after he heard rumors that Donohue might not seek reelection, but he decided not to challenge her when she did run again.
“I believe I’m well qualified for it,” he said. He’s a lawyer, experienced in finance and has an extensive background in real estate. “I love real estate and everything associated with it,” he said.
He previously worked at MassMutual, doing national real estate transactions.
“I’m looking at the position, not as what it’s been but what it can be.”
And he sees himself working with the Legislature and law enforcement as a proactive register like John O'Brien, the Register of Deeds for the Southern Essex District who has taken on the mortgage industry for their foreclosure practices. He sees the position as a bully pulpit.
He said he wants to call attention to The Mortgage Electronic Registration System, or MERS, which is owned by banks and mortgage finance companies. Filings through that company instead of the register shortchange the county, he said. “It’s the tip of the iceberg,” he said referring to the Wall Street mortgage crisis.
He knows running as an independent isn’t easy. “I consider it to be a formidable endeavor for one individual to take on a party.”
But he said, “I think the message in general of my qualifications is out there.”
About the candidates
Mary Olberding
Position sought: Hampshire Register of Deeds
ÂAge: 45
Address: Belchertown
ÂPolitical party: Democrat
Occupation: Human resources manager
Education: Bachelor’s degree Xavier University, master’s degree Emmanuel College.
â¨Elective experience: None.
George R. Zimmerman
Position sought: Hampshire Register of Deeds
Age: 57 ⨠Address: Northampton
ÂPolitical party: Independent
Occupation: Northampton City Treasurer  â¨Education: Bachelor’s degree, UMass, master’s degree UMass, Juris Doctorate, Western New England College School of Law.
â¨Elective experience: City Treasurer, four years elected, four appointed.