JEFFERSON CITY -- Gov. Jay Nixon appointed Scott County's senior deputy clerk, Tara L. Mason, of Scott City, as the new Recorder of Deeds for Scott County, according to a news release issued by the governor's office.

Mason will fill the vacancy created by the death last week of Recorder Thomas Dirnberger.

Mason, a Democrat, has been the senior deputy clerk in the recorder's office since 2002, according to the news release. Prior to that, she was assistant director and a pre-school teacher at a daycare center in Benton. She is a graduate of Oran R-3 High School and attended Southeast Missouri State University.

"Tara Mason has been in a position of responsibility with the recorder's office for several years, and I am confident she will continue to serve the people of Scott County as their new Recorder of Deeds," Gov. Nixon said. "I appreciate the service Mr. Dirnberger provided to Scott County and its citizens before his untimely passing."