Mary Kozak seeking a second term as Berks recorder of deeds
Mar. 13—Mary Kozak believes her work as Berks County recorder of deeds is unfinished, and is hoping voters give her a second term in the post to accomplish what she has set out to do with the office.
The Reading Republican has officially announced she is seeking reelection.
During her first four years in office, Kozak said, her team has had to overcome significant obstacles that included delivering services amidst a worldwide pandemic, budget shortfalls resulting from policies instituted by her predecessor and staffing deficiencies related to county budget constraints.
But, she said, she believes her team is meeting the needs of residents.
"Building on the foundation we have laid, I plan to continue implementing additional cost-saving policies and services in the future for the residents of the county," she said.
Kozak said she learned the value of work and frugality from her parents, and she needed those skills to address budget shortfalls the first day she took office. Repurposing furniture replaced in other offices instead of charging the county for new furniture is one example she gave.
She said staffing shortages required her to think quickly on her feet, reassigning tasks to different individuals and prompting the upgrade of the office website to provide online reports of real estate transactions.
"The previous process listed the transactions in local print resources," she said. "Online posting on the recorder of deeds website provides easier information acquisition for realtors, bankers, investors and constituents. The technology to provide this service was readily available but unused. We were proud to make it happen."
Kozak said the pandemic presented its own unique challenges.
She said transitioning her team to a hybrid work schedule was a significant hurdle. But they managed to keep the office running by creating a method to ensure notaries could renew their certifications before their term expired. The process also allowed new notaries to receive credentials, providing essential businesses could continue operating.
Another unexpected challenge during the pandemic thrust Kozak into an unlikely role, making sure flags flew over the graves of the county's war heroes on Memorial Day in 2020.
Under the lockdowns instituted by former Gov. Tom Wolf, Kozak said she realized the flags that were ordered could not be delivered. Using her network of contacts, she obtained the needed flags and worked with local organizations to ensure the flags made it to the county's more than 200 cemeteries.
"As the daughter of a Pearl Harbor survivor and veteran, it is my privilege and honor to daily serve those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for us," she said. "I was humbled to play a role in making sure our veterans were honored on Memorial Day in 2020."
Kozak is facing a challenge in the Republican primary from Richmond Township mortgage originator J. Scott DeFrees. Fred Sheeler, who lost his bid for a fourth term to Kozak in the 2019 election, is running in the Democratic primary.
The recorder of deeds serves a four-year term and receives an annual salary of $96,043.
The primary election is May 16.
Meet the candidate
Candidate: Mary Kozak, 66, Reading.
Position sought: Berks County recorder of deeds.
Background: Kozak was elected to the recorder of deeds position in 2019. Before her election, she was a caregiver who worked in sales and marketing and advocated for those with developmental disabilities.
