Election Guide: Incumbent Faces Off Against City Councilman for Prothonotary

Longtime incumbant Phyllis Ranko-Matheny will battle Washington City Councilman Matt Staniszewski for the post of Washington County Prothonotary in the election Tuesday.

All files related to the civil divisions of the courts are governed kept by the prothonotary's office. These include divorce, custody, abuse, car accidents, malpractice, and property dispute records as well as appeals to taxes, rent, etc.

Matheny is the Democratic challenger. Staniszewski is a Republican.

Here is some background on both candidates:

Phyllis Ranko-Matheny

What will your priorities be if elected?

My priorities will be to continue management of the prothonotary’s office in a manner that is profitable for the county. I wish to continue the technology-related projects I have started, including digital imaging of filed documents.

Additionally, I wish to continue efforts to preserve our work product to meet the demands of business-continuity planning. These and future enhancements will be done without the use of tax dollars and in concert with the Records Improvement Committee.

If elected, do you see specific changes or efforts that need to be made?

At this time, there are no specific changes needed in the prothonotary’s office. In the near future, all prothonotary offices throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will become the next phase of the Unified Judicial System. The state will require the entire civil division to operate as part of that system. To make any changes in the office now would not be in the best interest of the taxpayers of Washington County. Once the state takes over, the office will then need to come into compliance with that system.

Why should residents vote for you?

I have worked in the prothonotary’s office and learned the duties of the office prior to becoming the elected official. I am able to handle every aspect of the office, which I now do on a daily basis by working alongside the employees. I am the only qualified candidate for prothonotary with the hands-on knowledge to continue the proper operation of the office.

Matt Staniszewski

What will your priorities be if elected?

The top priority is to create a friendly, convenient and modern office. My opponents want to simply scan documents in for you to view online. I am the only candidate with the experience, education and competence who wants to enable you to submit civil complaints (e-file) and other requests online. Imagine if you could file your initial paperwork conveniently online 24/7 from your office or home.

In addition, as part of my long term vision for bringing the prothonotary’s office into the 21st Century, Matt will “have the app for that.”

I also plan to implement a nepotism policy and I am firm believer that an elected office is not a family heirloom. Your time is valuable and I want to make the prothonotary’s office professional and at the same time friendly and convenient for you.

If elected, do you see specific changes or efforts that need to be made?

First and foremost, we need to develop a higher level of customer service standards that are friendly and convenient for individuals using the services of the prothonotary’s office. We are there to serve the people and that needs to be the culture. A person’s time is valuable and many who utilize the prothonotary’s office are dealing with sensitive situations.

For example, an individual who wants divorced from an abusive marriage or an individual who wants to fight for custody of their children and save them from unsafe situations. Or, the working family that is appealing its property taxes so it might be able to lower the tax burden on its household. We need to make the process as easy and convenient as possible for individuals using our services.

By incorporating technology, bringing the office into the 21st Century and simplifying the process by enabling individuals to file initial complaints (e-file) conveniently online 24/7 from their offices or homes, we can create a friendly, convenient, efficient and effective office serving the public while lowering the overall costs to the taxpayers.

Part of our migration to the online community will first involve taking many of the paper forms and developing interactive, secure web pages that enable users to fill out initial information, upload certain documents and process online payments. This should eliminate wasteful use of paper, provide a better backup system (as items will automatically be stored electronically rather than wasting a staff person’s time to sit there and scan items in) while providing convenience to individuals using the services of the office.

Down the road, as part of my vision for bringing Washington County into the 21st Century, we’ll “have the app for that.”

Why should residents vote for you?

I am the only candidate with the experience, education and competence to bring the prothonotary’s office of Washington County into the 21st Century and beyond.

Coming from three generations of local steel and mine workers, my family instilled a work ethic of rolling up your sleeves and getting the job done. Coupled with that work ethic, my experience in the private sector and service in the public sector with my college education, many individuals throughout the county have told me that I am the best fit for the job.

As I mentioned, I will create an efficient and effective department that provides convenient and friendly customer service for you while lowering the taxpayers’ costs. Being a councilman for a city with significant financial challenges, I understand what it means to be mindful of the taxpayers’ pocketbooks and tighten our belts. I have always voted against tax increases and the people of Washington know that I am an advocate of the public—I’m on your side, I understand your needs and I work for you.