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Times endorsement: Vargas for Scott County Recorder

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By The Quad-City Times | Saturday, November 04, 2006 |

Rita Vargas

It’s hard to find a divisive campaign issue in the recorder’s race, and challenger Jim Bainbridge hasn’t. His concerns about the disclosure of Social Security numbers in online county records already is being addressed quickly and efficiently by incumbent recorder Rita Vargas. Her handling of this is one reason we support her bid for re-election.

The courthouse is packed with sensitive, personal information that is required by law to be public. The digital age expanded access to that information, requiring changes in law and practices to protect county residents from information thieves. It’s not an issue unique to the Scott County Recorder’s office.

Vargas gets that and is working to

protect both public access and personal privacy.

Bainbridge, who works in the county’s information and technology department, advises being more selective about which information is publicly disclosed. That’s an ethic a recorder legally cannot have. His service record seems sufficient, but he lacks the county management experience. We winced when he referred twice to the staff he’d like to manage as “the girls in the office.”

Vargas smartly embraced digital technology to make these important public records more accessible. We believe she’s picked the best course for protecting the privacy of county residents. We support Rita Vargas for recorder.