To the Editor:

As a result of the August 10 Republican Primary, Probate Judge Joseph “Joe” Egan, judge of the Ridgefield Probate Court, became the nominee for the Office of Probate Judge in the consolidated probate district, known as Northern Fairfield County, consisting of the towns of Newtown, Bethel, Redding, and Ridgefield. The new court facility will be located in Bethel as of January 2011 and serve approximately 78,000 residents.

I have known Joe Egan for 20 years as a colleague who is highly regarded by his peers, both in Connecticut and nationally. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the Connecticut Probate Assembly, an association of the current 113 Connecticut Probate Judges. He has served for years as chairman of the nominating committee of the assembly. He is lauded for his legal competence and compassion with which he handles matters before him.

Nationally, he has been an Executive Committee member of the National College of Probate Judges from 2001 to 2009, serving as president of the National College from 2007 to November 2008.

Judge Egan is also highly regarded by attorneys who practice in the new district, as evidenced by the many letters of support on his behalf during the August primary season.

Most importantly, as probate judge for the past 20 years, Judge Egan has seen to the efficient operation of the Ridgefield Probate Court. To add to his credits of being able to handle the merged district, come January 2011, is the fact that he has been appointed by the Probate Court Administrator as interim judge for the Norwalk Probate Court (population 84,000). He has also covered the Stamford and New Canaan Courts, each for an extended period of time.

The 20 years in probate will assure the public that Judge Egan will be able to capitalize on his experience and minimize the disruption to the public as the new district emerges in January.

Judge Egan is an outstanding candidate for the position of regional probate judge. Please vote for him on November 2.

Sincerely,

Margot S. Hall

Newtown Judge of Probate, Retired

Nettleton Avenue, Newtown                                      October 20, 2010