Chad C. Airhart
Waukee
I am writing in support of Marshall Critchfield for Jasper County Recorder. Marshall has a servant’s heart, cares about his community and has the necessary leadership characteristics and vision to be a great recorder.
Marshall and I have a lot in common. Four years ago I ran against an incumbent recorder with nearly 30 years experience. The case against me is similar to the case some are trying to make against Marshall — that in order to be qualified for the position, one must already have worked in the office. That argument does not hold water.
In my time as recorder, Dallas County has digitized and indexed more historic records than any other county in Iowa. We’ve also digitized and indexing our military records, ensuring that our veterans have access to their records. This will help our vets obtain the benefits they have earned with their service to America.
I am also proud of the fact that we have returned more than $1.1 million dollars in a surplus to our county’s general fund, saving the taxpayers money. I led this effort without having any experience working in the recorder’s office.
One of the problems I see in local government across Iowa is that we get stuck doing things they way they always have been done. Sometimes you need new leadership — a fresh set of eyes to restructure and change the way government business is done. That is what we have done in Dallas County, and that is exactly the kind of leadership Marshall Critchfield will bring the people of Jasper County as recorder.
Critchfield has an outstanding resume, highlighted by his work experience, education (an MBA) and leadership roles. He is someone any company would love to have as an executive. He has worked in government at the U.S. Capitol and worked professionally in the private sector dealing with real estate documents, just as he will do as recorder.
Marshall will not just be a stand-out recorder in the office; he will be a leader in the community and across county government. He will be a voice in the legislature for common sense legislation affecting the recorder’s office and benefitting the taxpayers of Jasper County. I encourage you to vote for Marshall Critchfield for Jasper County Recorder.