Mike,

 We in Suffolk  County are facing the same problem as you (with the price cutting). In the near future our county is preparing to go on line. We have spoken before our Legislative body regarding our concerns of the on-line system. We have spoken of the outsourcing, the invasion of privacy, and the protection of victims rights. All of this has fallen on deaf ears. The county officials see this as a source of income only. 
  We have spoken with several police departments and to the public. We are getting ready to start a petition drive to force the on line service to a vote. All those we have spoken to want the right to opt-out at the closings, keeping their info from being put on line. There are several reasons for this. One is New York state does not have the Safe at Home Act(created to protect victims of domestic and sexual abuse) only 13 states have this now.. The on line systems also goes against the Federal Fair Credit act. It also goes against the Federal Motor vehicle/Drivers License act. Both of these were adopted by congress to protect the public. 
 As stated earlier, we have spoken to our county officials. Now we are taking it to the public. Our County systems is on line but with no images. Due to SS# they are in the process of redacting. However one must remember it is not only SS#'s it is all the other info that is contained in the instruments that are filed. The biggest obstacle we face is the elected officials claim that we are worried about our jobs. What they lack is the understanding of what info is filed on a regular basis.  The argument of it being a public record and they(County Clerks) can place it on line is a weak one.
  I urge all to take a look at these acts I have mentioned. The fair credit act regulates how far a credit reporting agency can go back. There is no way to control this with a county website. The Drivers license act gives the public the right to opt out. So the public will not be bothered at home.The Safe at Home Act. gives the victim the right to keep their info off government websites. 
 The public should have the right to Opt Out.....       Mason Haas

mrtog@optonline.net