Republican Jean Papay and Democrat Deborah J. Gigliotti are candidates for the position of Carbon County register of wills and clerk of orphans’ court.

Longtime register of wills Judy Moon is retiring this year.

We asked the candidates to respond to a question about what they would do to improve the community through the office they are seeking. They were limited to 175 words.

Their answers are in their own words.

Deborah J. Gigliotti

Bio: The daughter of the late Calvin W. and Jean Miller of Normal Square, Mahoning Valley, she is a 1974 graduate of Lehighton Area High School.

She is married to Bob Gigliotti for 43 years and they have two children, a son Christopher and a daughter Jodie, wife of Sean Spang, and five grandchildren, Michael and Kaitlyn Gigliotti, Gunnar and Nolan Rehrig and Samuel Spang.

A former business owner for over 20 years, Deb also worked for the Arc of NEPA as a recreation aide for special needs citizens and a florist manager/bookkeeper for Carefree Lawns. She is a first deputy in the Office of Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans Court.

Her response to the question, “With more than 12 years of experience handling the probate of wills and administration of estates terminations and adoptions, incapacitations and guardian appointments as well as processing marriage licenses and processing inheritance tax payments, Deb will be ready to take over on Day One without incident.”

She said she is ready to accept changes required by ever-changing laws and new technology.

Jean Papay

Bio: Born and raised in Carbon County, spent 20 years refining her management ability with experience in private and public-sector work. Whether a maintenance planner for Continental Express Airlines or sales administrator with Lafarge North America, Jean proved her capacity to efficiently manage a budget while effectively providing services.

Her public tenure as district office manager for state Rep. Doyle Heffley, has further proved Jean to be a champion of fiscal responsibility.

Response: As a lifelong resident of Carbon County a wife and mother of three, I will bring a fresh approach to the office of Register of Wills.

Twenty years of professional office management experience, a small-business owner, and district office manager for Representative Doyle Heffley I have a proven record of fiscal responsibility and knowledge to navigate the complicated government bureaucracy. I will utilize my extensive management experience to this Carbon County Office.

I will expand services to seniors, veterans and working-class families, through outreach and educational efforts in a fiscally responsible manner to the taxpayers.