The Globe interviews both candidates for Suffolk County register of probate, but fails to explain why this office, which oversees the filing of papers in divorce, will and adoption cases, still forces voters to decide who should hold an office that has no policy implications whatsoever.
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As someone who practices law
By Rob
Thu, 08/23/2012 - 9:22am
As someone who practices law in the Probate Court, the clerk is a really important position. The staff there is overwhelmed and overworked. This causes major frustrations for the public coming in, who often are coming in under very difficult and emotional circumstances and need guidance in the unfamiliar legal areas. It requires someone with serious management expertise to get that office back on sound footing. And you're right, the time for these positions to have been elected long ago passed.
Sorry, didn't mean to imply it's not an important job
By adamg
Thu, 08/23/2012 - 9:32am
All court clerk's offices are. But as you say, it should be filled with somebody with particular managerial expertise in the position - through appointment, rather than election. Imagine if we elected fire chiefs.
Similarly, why do we need to elect a register of deeds?
By Ron Newman
Thu, 08/23/2012 - 9:40am
The current Middlesex South register, Eugene Brune, is retiring. The September 6 Democratic primary ballot has six people running for this office. On what basis can a voter choose a candidate for an administrative office like this one?
Yea, what's up with that race?
By cdevers
Thu, 08/23/2012 - 4:21pm
So many legislative seats are going unopposed, but there's a mob of people running for this register of deeds seat. How come? Some hidden perk the general public is unaware of? Does the register of deeds get final authority over whether Foursquare users really are the “mayor” of one place or another?
not sure
By anon²
Thu, 08/23/2012 - 10:24am
if it applies here, but in many cases, with strapped budgets, its hard for municipalities to justify new positions. So what they do is hire someone to an old position, and just change their duties. In effect they use outdated, old titles to allow them to fill new roles.
The posted above seems to be saying that's the case here.
Well
By fibrowitch
Thu, 08/23/2012 - 2:06pm
If the job is up for election no one can put a crony in place.
Sure you can
By Matthew
Thu, 08/23/2012 - 2:50pm
A little money goes a long way in these low level elections.
Also goes a long way with the person you helped elect.