Dorcas Miller has seen a lot of changes in Holmes County over the past 34 years, when she first began as a greenhorn in the Holmes County Clerk of Courts office.

In that span, the county has grown and flourished, becoming one of Ohio’s top tourism drawing cards.

Having run for the office in 1972, following the passing of her husband, Miller’s illustrious career began on a real down note, as she was defeated, but, as she has been her whole career, she was not deterred. Miller ran again, and in 1977, found herself in a role she would possess for more than three decades. Thirty-four years after Miller became the county clerk, she now steps down, having been through a lot of changes, both in her life, as a breast cancer survivor who was diagnosed within the same year as her mother and sister who both died of the disease, and in her career, which has gone from a fairly low volume, pencil and paper operation to a bustling, organized, high-tech system.

On Monday, April 25, the Holmes County commissioners appointed Amy Snyder as the interim for Miller, who will step down May 1. Snyder, Miller’s chief legal supervisor, was Miller’s choice as interim, but it will be up to the Republican Central Committee to appoint a replacement clerk.

“I am recommending that you appoint Amy J. Snyder, my chief legal supervisor, as the interim clerk of courts until the Republican Central Committee appoints a clerk,” stated Miller in a letter addressed to the commissioners. “She has over six years of experience in this office and is a paralegal.”

Miller also noted that she would like to see the appointment made quickly, so there would be no interruption in the issuance of titles, the clerk of courts service to the county and therefore no loss of money to the county.

“Dorcas has served the county well for a number of years, and it was her request that we select Amy as the interim,” said Commissioner Ray Eyler. “It takes seven days to change the name on the title, so that is why we are doing it now before Dorcas retires.”

Addressing the clerk position, Holmes County Chief Prosecuting Attorney Steve Knowling wrote in a letter addressed to the commissioners that it is the Republican Central Committee’s responsibility to replace Miller, pursuant to Ohio Revised Code section 305.07 (B). According to Knowling’s letter, the committee will not meet again until May 18, at which point they can properly appoint a replacement. Until that time, an interim would be needed in order for the county to continue to provide legal titles, thus Snyder was appointed by the commissioners.

“It takes some period of time for the secretary of state’s office and the governor’s office to process the paperwork and finalize the appointment after the successor has been selected,” said Knowling in his letter. “As such, it is necessary that an interim or acting clerk of courts be appointed, so that the office can continue to function.”

The commissioners expressed their gratitude to Miller, for her many years of dedication to serving the people of Holmes County, and said that whoever the Republican Central Committee selects to replace Miller and finish out her term will have big shoes to fill.

“Not many people can say that they have served their community as long as Dorcas has,” added Commissioner Rob Ault. “She has done a fine job, and she has even stuck through it while battling health issues. She is no quitter, that’s for sure.”