Nevada's new retirement law has resulted in the departure of another Douglas County elected official.
Recorder Werner Christen is retiring after having worked for the county since he graduated from Whittell High School in 1975. Clerk-Treasurer Barbara Griffin announced her retirement last month. Tuesday was her last election.
"I started out here out of high school," he said. "Pat Williams was the first recorder I worked for. She was my neighbor and after I graduated she came over to the house and said 'I've got some filing I need to catch up on, would you mind working for a couple of weeks before you go off to school.'"
Those few weeks turned into 33 years.
He started out as a deputy recorder and became the county's records manager in 1979.
"I was out there until Linda retired and then I ran for this spot," he said. "If I'd known what was going to happen with the insurance, I wouldn't have run again."
Christian, 51, moved to Douglas County when his dad retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1963. He grew up on Andria Drive near where Brautovich Park is now.
"That used to be our swimming hole," he said. "We spent hours there. It was a great place to grow up. I love the Lake and I love the Valley. It's going to be hard leaving my co-workers here."
Should he stay, Christen said his health insurance would triple in cost.
Until the passage of Senate Bill 544 by the 2007 Legislature, nonstate public employees were included in the state's subsidized health care under the Public Employee Benefits Program.
"We've lost some good people because of that," he said. "I've talked to a lot of people I know and trust and not one person said I should stay."
Christen said his health care insurance costs would triple if he didn't retire now.
"They changed the rules in mid-stream," he said. "I'm in pretty much the same boat as Barbara. It's hard because it's been a blast working here."
Christen is recommending Erin Inman replace him as recorder. Inman has worked for the office since 1984. She started out as a Job Opportunities in Nevada student during high school.
Christen has two children, Britney, who is finishing up at the University of Nevada, Reno, and Lisa, who is a freshman at American River College.
Job announcement
Anyone interested in the job of county cecorder must submit a resume and letter of interest to Douglas County Human Resources no later than 5 p.m. Aug. 22, to 1616 8th Street, Minden, NV 89423. For additional information contact Darcy Worms, Douglas County Human Resources, 782-9860.
The position becomes vacant effective Aug. 31, 2008. The Douglas County Board of Commissioners will appoint a new recorder to fill the remainder of the unexpired term during the regularly scheduled meeting on Sept. 4, 2008.
The requirements for the vacated elected office of County Recorder are:
- Must be an actual resident of Douglas County 30 days prior to appointment;
- Must be a registered voter in the State of Nevada;
- Must be a qualified elector pursuant to Section 1 of Article 2 of the Constitution of the State of Nevada;
- Must be 18 years of age;
- Must be a citizen of the United States.
