Priscilla for Probate

If it walks like a duck .....

During my campaign for Barnstable County Register of Probate, I have stated that I will not fill the wasteful political patronage position at the court.  Not only is it unnecessary, it is a disgrace to fill the position when vacant entry level positions cannot be filled due to budget restraints.

It has been suggested by the current Register that this is not a political patronage position.  Well, "If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, looks like a duck, it must be a duck".

The actual language in the Massachusetts General Laws provides that the administrative deputy assistants may be removed at the pleasure of the registers of probate.  That language ensures that each new Register may appoint their own person.  That is a political appointment.

The language of that statute reads as follows:

Chapter 217: Section 23B. Administrative deputy assistants
Section 23B. The registers of probate of the respective courts of the probate and  family court department for the following counties may, subject to the approval of the chief justice for administration and management as to compliance with personnel standards promulgated pursuant to section 8 of chapter 211B, appoint 1 or more administrative deputy assistants; provided, however, that administrative deputy assistants may be removed at the pleasure of the registers of probate. The administrative deputy assistants shall meet the definition of both confidential and managerial employees as those terms appear in chapter 150E and shall perform no official judicial duties.  (See http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/217-23b.htm for the list of counties.)

The position does not exist in every county.

As with any political appointment, the appointee serves the elected official.  A change of elected official usually results in a new appointment.  A new president does not keep the former president's cabinet.  A new governor does not keep the former governor's advisors, and so on down the line.

No matter who is elected as your next Register of Probate, that newly elected Register, pursuant to the statute, may appoint their own person for that position.

The bottom line is that I believe in fiscal responsibility.  I believe that we should not waste taxpayer money on a position that serves at the pleasure of the register of probate, you know -- a political patronage position.  I am the only candidate to pledge not to appoint anyone to that position..