Erie County title office to reopen

SANDUSKY — Erie County clerk of courts Luvada Wilson announced when the local government's title office will reopen — and, just as importantly, why it closed earlier this month. When it'll reopen "On Tuesday, July 28, the Erie County title department, 247 Columbus Ave., Suite 131, downtown Sandusky, will resume weekday operations from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.," Wilson said. "Thank you for being patient with us during our brief shutdown," she continued. "It is our desire not only to serve you efficiently but to also serve you safely." Wilson reminded anyone entering the office must wear a mask and maintain social distancing at all times. Only the person making a transaction is allowed inside the office. In other words, no guests. Up until then, Wilson encourages people to visit a nearby title office to take care of their vehicular documentation needs. Why it closed down Wilson gave some insight into why the office shut down on July 13. An employee's "daughter contracted COVID, and her mom is a clerk," Wilson said. "The daughter doesn't live with the mom but she had been around her. So her medical provider said she (the clerk) should quarantine." Then a separate issue arose. "I learned that another (employee) hadn't been feeling well, and she contacted her doctor and was told she better be tested," Wilson said. "Then the supervisor had a family emergency unrelated to (the coronavirus). So I only had one person to run title, and that's impossible." All four title department employees underwent a COVID-19 test: two tested negative, and another two await their results. The two who tested negative "will open for me on Tuesday," Wilson said. "The one whose daughter had tested positive quarantined for a while before getting tested. She hadn't been feeling well, but when I communicated with her (earlier this week), she said she was feeling better. So we are awaiting her test and that of the supervisor who has been feeling fine." So when could the title department return to a fully staffed operation? "By Tuesday, we are hoping that everyone has their negative test results and that they are ready to serve our community."