Prepared To Fight For The Future Of Newtown’s Probate Court

To the Editor:

I write for two purposes. First, to thank the many voters I have met as I have campaigned door to door to be your next probate judge. Newtowners have been polite and gracious to me regardless of political beliefs or support for my candidacy. Second, as it has been impossible to knock on every door in town, I want to convey to those of you I have not met why I am running and why I feel I am the most qualified candidate for the position.

I was initially solicited to run for probate judge several years ago. At that time I was unsure about seeking the office because, while I found the job itself interesting and suitable to my skill set, I was not certain I wanted to run for elective office.

However, when those requests were renewed more recently, several changes in my life compelled me to run for the position. Specifically, in the interim I had experienced the declines and deaths of my aunt and father, as well as involvement in the administration of each of their estates. Through these estates, I developed a client’s sense of the probate court and thought of the contributions I could make as a judge, particularly in contrast to those who also appeared interested in the job.

First, I am a Connecticut attorney and the legislature recently mandated that probate judges be attorneys, unless grandfathered, commencing in 2011. As an attorney, I believe I can more easily handle the duties of the court beyond the mere administrative, and garner the respect of those attorneys practicing before me, than a lay (non-attorney) judge could.

Second, I am prepared to make the position my full-time job, that is, not otherwise engage in the practice of law. I feel full-time effort will be required because, in addition to court duties, the new probate judge must be prepared to fight for the Newtown Probate Court’s future. Simply put, if Newtown is to have a chance to maintain its probate court as the seat of the multitown district that the legislature has consolidated Newtown into commencing in 2011, or prepared to engage in a political battle to that end. One of my opponents would not be able to serve a full term in the multitown district, by the way, due to mandatory retirement rules.

Finally, and most importantly, I believe I am the candidate with the greatest relevant life experience — as a mother, wife, daughter, and professional woman — to handle compassionately the variety of probate duties the court has beyond the processing of estates, such as guardianships, conservatorships, adoptions, and termination of parental rights.

I now add to my thanks those of you who have read this and ask for your consideration on election day.

Moira B. Rodgers

208 Hattertown Road, Newtown                              October 27, 2009