I am an Army veteran who has spent more than 25 years in management and leadership positions in the nonprofit sector. I have served on a number of nonprofit boards and volunteered for various other causes and events, with the goal of improving the quality of life for individuals and my community.

I have taken some legal courses and have a basic understanding and a respect for the law. I will bring compassion, fairness, and integrity to this role if I am elected.

I see this position more as a service position, rather than a political one. I am always looking for ways I can serve my community and this is one of the ways I can do just that. A couple of years ago, my wife lost her mother and father within a relatively short period of time and it was then that I realized how important having someone who care and someone who understands the laws and policies to get individuals through this difficult time in their life.

The biggest challenge is the lack of understanding about what a Judge of the Orphans' Court does. It is one of those down ballot races that some folks are unsure what the role or purpose is. In Maryland, the Orphans’ Court is the constitutionally established probate court for Frederick County and is responsible for overseeing the administration of estates as outlined by Article IV of the Constitution. Three individuals are elected every four years and work together to resolve any issues.

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I've lived in Frederick County for almost 50 years, and after my husband Bob Dacey passed away, I saw firsthand the importance of estate planning. This is not a partisan position; it's about helping families in their time of need. I'm a retired nurse & lactation consultant who spent my career helping families - I'll bring that same compassion to this position. I'm a grandmother, "Nona," to 4 and mother of 5, ready to bring my lifetime of experience to the court.

In this role, my top priority would be administering the law fairly and equitably. This role is not partisan - it's about ensuring that estates are handled properly and that a person's last wishes are honored. I dedicated my life to being a nurse & lacation consultant for 35 years. I learned to deal with folks from all walks of life, and I look forward to bringing that same decency and compassion to this role.

Let's admit it, most people don't know what the Orphans' Court does, and when you do figure it out, it's likely one of the worst times of your life—families dealing with the tragedy of a death need to know the resources available. I'll work to ensure better education of the public to make the process as smooth as possible. We've all dealt with loss. I hope that in this role, I can help make it a little easier for families.

I have been a public servant, serving two years on the Frederick County Board of Education, and an educator for more than 30 years. I believe my integrity and honesty will serve the residents of Frederick County well.

My priority is to bring a spirit of fairness and a dedication to the rule of law to this judgeship. If justice is indeed blind, I believe judges need to come to the bench having put aside any bias or preconceived ideas.

Three judges will serve the Orphans' Court, and I believe it will be essential for those judges to establish a strong working relationship. The judges will need to set the tone of teamwork from the get-go. I will bring to the table strong leadership and interpersonal skills.

As a lifelong resident of Frederick County, my academic and professional background, combined with my personal experience, have shaped my commitment to Judge of the Orphans' Court. I have worked in a regulated environments, upholding laws to ensure compliance and safety. In both my professional life & within the community, I have built lasting meaningful relationships. I spent countless hours in court rooms, driven by the memory of my sister, seeking justice on her behalf after her tragic death.

I will bring qualities most needed to do the job well: compassion, integrity, and common sense. Having worked in managerial roles, the most important thing I have learned is to listen first, research any concerns or situation, and then come up with solution that benefits everyone while following company policies and the law. As a judge, my priorities would include transparency, fairness, and justice for those who appear before us with the same caliber.

The state of Maryland, Orphan Court Judges are currently facing significant challenges, including ethical, criminal, and interpersonal misconduct allegations. Improvements such as mandatory training, education requirements, and annual continuing education requirements should occur. Although there have not been any major scandals for Frederick County specifically, Maryland’s focus on judicial transparency, and accountability for elected officials should be the focus, and Frederick County as well.

Compared to all other candidates, who have no prior experience, I have served on the Court for 4 1/2 years, appointed by Governor Hogan prior to being elected. Work experience: librarianship (41 years), interacting with clients and employees alike, emphasizing public service. Volunteer experience: chairmanship of the Planning Commission of the Town of New Market (10 years), Chief Judge of an election precinct for primary and general elections (several years), and participation in Leadership Fred

• Treat all with civility. • Be clear and easily understood when communicating, easing the process of what can be a stressful and confusing experience for those in a courtroom for the first time. A smile and direct eye contact can alleviate concerns of family members whose main worry is often just to be heard. • Listen patiently, even if the person addressing the Court has an adversarial attitude or completely misunderstands the facts. Allow all the time to speak.

The movement for lay courts to be replaced by attorney judges. Many are actively working to eliminate our Court completely, claiming we have inadequate training/mental capacity for the job. We are required to complete the same number of annual continuing education hours as all other judges (who are attorneys). We have multiple resources to assist us in nderstanding the law’s complexities. Organizational/intellectual skill, empathy for others, plus participation in continuing ed are necessary.