ECTOR COUNTY, TX (KWES) - After 40 years with the Ector County Clerk’s Office, Linda Haney has decided to retire. The office provided the following biography.
Linda was working in the Midland County District Clerk’s Office but living in Odessa when she went to the Ector County Clerk’s Office to Absentee Vote. While there she asked if there were any job openings. She filled in an application for employment and was interviewed and hired the same day. Linda began work in the Ector County Clerk’s Office on November 1, 1976; the day before a General Presidential Election when Jimmy Carter was elected as President. Linda worked until her youngest daughter was born and left the job for a short time to be a stay at home mom. When she returned to work she was given credit for her prior service with a new anniversary date of March 1, 1978. Linda worked for County Clerk Lucille Wolz for 11 years and for Barbara Bedford for 15 years. She worked as a deputy clerk before moving to the position of Assistant Chief Deputy over the courts division in l985. Linda served as Chief Deputy for 2 years. Upon the retirement of Barbara Bedford, Linda was appointed as County Clerk by the Ector County Commissioners Court until the next General Election. She was sworn in on January 1, 2004 and completed her application for a place on the Republican Primary Ballot. Within a few days of being sworn-in as the new County Clerk she learned that she had drawn a primary opponent; the opponent filed a few minutes before 6:00 on the last day of filing. The election was held on March 9, 2004 and Linda defeated her opponent by receiving 74% of the votes cast. She was subsequently elected for three 4-year terms. Linda has served as County Clerk for 15 years.
Linda has worked to modernize the office through the use of technology. Early in her tenure as County Clerk, the birth and death records were digitized to allow for preservation of the records and to provide for convenience in making certified copies. The office has gone through software system conversions for the real property & vital statistics section as well as the courts portion of the office. Under Linda’s leadership, all of the Official Public Records from 1994 forward were placed on the internet for viewing and copying with the county receiving revenue through subscription fees. Ector County is 127 years old and within the next year or so every record in the County Clerk’s Office will be available in an electronic format. In 2010, the County Clerk’s office implemented e-recording of the Official Public Records. Under mandate by the Texas Supreme Court the office now e-files probate, civil and criminal court cases and proceedings.
Linda has been an active member of the Texas County and District Clerk’s Association serving on the Board of Directors, numerous committees and was a presenter at several state conferences. Four times, Linda was nominated for “County Clerk of the Year” by the County and District Clerk’s Association of Texas (CDCAT) Region III. Other honors include, Graduate of the Master Registrar Certification Course, Tyler “Excellence Award” for innovative use of Eagle Recorder and Charter Member of URA-Urban Recorders Alliance.
In 2007, Linda was the recipient of the “Everett Berry County Service Award” given by Ector County Officials and Employees for Exemplary Performance and Dedicated Services to the citizens of Ector County. Linda is a member of the Ector County Republican Womens’ Club and an active member of First Baptist Church where she sings in the church choir. She is married to Dennis Haney and they have 4 adult children and 5 grandchildren. Her hobbies include family time, reading, and vacation cruises
