Politics & Government

Regional Probate Judge Candidate Q&A: Edward Moukawsher

Questions Posed To All Candidates Running For Southeastern Connecticut Regional Probate Judge

On June 21, 2011 primaries will be held for the Democratic and Republican candidates seeking to become the next Judge of Probate for the Southeastern Connecticut Regional Probate Court. Patch asked each candidate to answer a questionnaire to give residents information about his or her background. For additional election coverage visit Elections 2011.

Name: Edward E. Moukawsher

Age: 58

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Hometown:  Groton

Party Affiliation: Democrat

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Education:  College of the Holy Cross B.A., 1974; Suffolk University Law School J.D. Cum Laude, 1978

Work Experience: 1974-1975, Summers of 1976 &1977, Shipfitter General Dynamics; Attorney: 1978-1983 Morgan, Moukawsher and Willetts, 1983-1993 Moukawsher & Moukawsher, 1993 to Present Edward E. Moukawsher, Attorney at Law

Political/Civic offices: 1979-1983 Groton Board of Education; 1992-1993 Town of Groton Charter Revision Commission; 1996-1997 Director Habitat for Humanity of Southeastern Connecticut; 1998-1999 Board of Assessment Appeals, Town of Groton; 1999-2002 Groton Town Council; 2003 to Present Connecticut State Representative for the 40th District (Groton and New London)

Family: Single

Why are you running for this office?  I have spent over 30 years both as an attorney and in public service.  The greatest satisfaction I have had is when I have been able to use my training as an attorney to effect positive change in peoples’ lives, whether individually for a constituent or in creating government policy.  Over the years serving my community has become my emphasis and I believe being a probate judge would provide me with the greatest opportunity to personally interact with and assist families with many of the difficult issues that confront them.  Probate courts deal with matters affecting the most vulnerable among us; children, the elderly, grieving families and the developmentally disabled.  I would find it very meaningful to assist people in such matters and that is why I am seeking this opportunity to be probate judge.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?  I am the only candidate who has a longstanding record of public service.  I have had the privilege of being entrusted with public office for many years and I have a record of performing the obligations of public office in a nonpartisan even-handed manner.  I believe because of this I have been unopposed in the last three elections for state representative.

What’s been the biggest recent success of the Connecticut Probate Court System?  The biggest recent success of the Connecticut Probate Court System is first, its survival.  The probate court system was in danger of being eliminated and absorbed by the judicial system due to financial problems. The reorganization and consolidation of districts has made it possible for probate courts to continue to exist.  Secondly, the probate court system has become financially secure and this year produced a surplus which validates the effort to preserve the courts through consolidation.

What’s been the biggest failure/challenge?  I believe the biggest challenge for the probate court system will be to provide the access and responsiveness to people that the former system of individual town courts provided.

What, if anything, would be different if you were elected probate judge? Probate courts by nature are less formal than the superior court and I would not wish to change that atmosphere.  However, I would ensure that decisions I would be required to make would be based on reliable evidence and I would require that reports submitted to the court be thorough and factual.  It has been my experience that allegations are on occasion accepted at face value and reports submitted to the court can be somewhat cursory.  Decisions made by the probate court can affect lives in very profound ways.  I would not make such a decision unless I was confident in the information it was based on.


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