County clerk gets big sendoff into retirement

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Karen Lake-Maynard retired today as Orleans County Clerk. There was a big party in the Clerk’s Office with many county employees, attorneys, town clerks and other local officials stopping by to thank Lake-Maynard for her 14 years as county clerk and 30 years in the Clerk’s Office.

She is shown being greeted by Lance Mark, an attorney from Medina.

Karen Lake-Maynard wipes away tears after being congratulated on her career by Lynne Johnson, chairwoman of the Orleans County Legislature.

The county clerk oversees 10 employees, including six at the Department of Motor Vehicles at the County Administration Building on Route 31 and four employees at the County Clerk’s Building on Main Street.

“People really love her,” said Tracy Cliff, who has worked for Lake-Maynard the past five years as an index clerk. “She cares about her employees and the people who come in here. I’ve had great bosses, but she’s the best.”

Deb Boyer has worked the past 29 years as a title examiner and is often in the clerk’s office.

“She is just a genuinely awesome person,” Boyer said about Lake-Maynard. “She goes the extra mile.”

In her last act as county clerk, Lake-Maynard administered the oath of office to Diane Shampine, who has been the deputy clerk the past 14 years. Shampine was joined in taking the oath by her granddaughter, Jayda Shampine, 11. She held the Bible for her grandmother.

Shampine gets a hug from her granddaughter.

Shampine of Holley will be the acting clerk the rest of this year. She said she enjoys working with the public in the clerk’s office.

Diane Shampine signs the oath of office.

The county clerk’s position position will be on the November ballot. There could be a Republican primary on June 23 between Shampine and Nadine Hanlon, clerk of the County Legislature.

To see a video of Shampine taking the oath of office, click here.

You’re here checking the site, so you know: Orleans Hub is a vital resource for our community. Day in and day out, we share information and insights that matter to those who live and work in the towns, villages and hamlets of our county. Local advertisers help make the Hub possible, and so can you.

Donate today to keep Orleans Hub healthy and accessible to all. Thank you!