Anastasia's Blog

Updates from the Campaign Trail: My three-point plan, endorsements & upcoming events

My three-point plan, endorsements & upcoming events

The three-point plan & the probate website

From the beginning of this campaign, I have made clear that in this economy we need to find ways to use technology more effectively to run the court more efficiently. We will not be getting more money to add staff and we will need to find ways to work smarter while managing the same workload.

In June, I released a three-point plan for a more user-friendly and efficient family court.  I have been working on phase one – a privately funded website for the Barnstable Probate and Family Court office.

The problem is that the court is inundated with counter and telephone traffic – 75% of customers are not represented by an attorney. These customers of the court are routinely asking for the same information, forms, and guidance. By providing that information online, customers can either avoid calling and driving to the court altogether, or they can be more informed and knowledgeable when they do seek assistance. Either way, it will take less staff time to assist people; and therefore, employees will have more time to ensure orders are processed timely. It is a practical and great tool for the citizens of the County and also for the employees of the court.

My website, when complete, will help all the customers of the court without adding extra burden to the taxpayers, since my campaign will pick up the tab. Other probate websites are also funded privately.

My campaign website now includes a mock Probate and Family Court website, including sample downloadable forms, helpful links, and a framework for information and contacts for the different departments within the probate court.

I have devoted considerable effort to get to this point. While the website is not ready for use, I want voters to know that my plan for efficiency is not an empty promise. I will see it through to completion.

The demo website is http://electanastasia.com/probatesite/index.shtml.

Two major endorsements this week

From the Cape Cod Times:

Welsh Perrino for Register

Several attributes have impressed us about Anastasia Welsh Perrino.

When she decided to run for Barnstable County Register of Probate in April, she took an unpaid leave of absence to plan and run her campaign. By removing herself from the daily rush of the office, she gave herself the time to chart the future of the office under her leadership. The leave also enabled her to see more clearly the improvements needed in the office.

And improvements it needs.

The last time there was a change in leadership in the office was nearly 40 years ago, when Fred Claussen became the register of probate. While Claussen has served the county well over all those years, the office desperately needs to enter the 21st century when it comes to technology.

Read the endorsement in its entirety here.

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From CapeCodToday.com:

Why we urge you to vote for Anastasia Welsh Perrino for Barnstable County Register of Probate

Anastasia Welsh Perrino is a working mother with a half-decade of professional experience as Assistant Register of the Barnstable Probate and Family Court, and as a member of the Massachusetts bar, she has specialized in family court and probate matters for fourteen years.

She has the empathy and life experiences to best fill a position which most Cape Codders or members of their families may have reason to need some day.

Her opponent, State Representative Eric Turkington is a decent man who has spent twenty years on Beacon Hill but has little or no experience needed for this position.

Read the endorsement in its entirety here.

Upcoming events this week

• Tuesday, October 21, 2008, 6:30pm -  Meet the Candidates Night, sponsored by the West Barnstable Civic Association. The event will take place at the West Barnstable Community Center at Route 149 and Lombard Avenue, just off Exit 5.
• Wednesday, October 22, 2008, 7pm-9pm - Candidates Night in Falmouth, sponsored by the Cape Cod League of Women Voters.  The event will take place at the Morse Pond School at 323 Jones Road in Falmouth. This event will be televised on FCTV13.

• Thursday, October 23, 2008, 5:30pm-7:30pm - A Reception will be held at the Union Oyster House in the Freedom Trail Room in Boston.  The event is $250 per person. Hors d'oeurvres will be served.
  
  Join Michael Crossen, Esq., Patricia Annino, Esq., Darlene Vanstone, Esq.,  Paul Covell, Augustus Wagner, Jr., Esq., Hon. Newman Flannigan, Esq., Robert Chamberlain, Esq., Thomas Perrino, Esq., Hon. Robert A. Welsh, Jr. (Ret.), Edward R. Gargiulo, Esq., Marielise Kelly, Esq., Christy Mihos, Evan T. Lawson, Esq., Richard B. Weitzen, Esq., Pamela B. Bankert, Esq. and others at this very special reception to show your support!
  
  RSVP for the reception to 508-776-2684 or on the website, www.ElectAnastasia.com.  Please make personal checks payable to: Committee to Elect Anastasia Welsh Perrino, PO Box 275, South Dennis, MA, 02660.
  

For more information about my campaign, please visit my website.