Squaring off at the Western New England University School of Law, the candidates split on whether the clerk needed a law degree to as a minimum requirement for the $110,000-a-year post.
The four Democratic candidates for Clerk of Courts of Hampden Superior Court are, clockwise from top left, Thomas M. Ashe, Laura Gentile, Linda A. Stec DiSanti and John P. DaCruz.SPRINGFIELD – Four Democratic candidates for the Hampden Superior Court clerk’s post clashed over qualifications for the job during a debate Thursday, but agreed on the need to expand technology in the state court system.
Squaring off at the Western New England University School of Law, the candidates were split on whether a law degree should be a minimum requirement for the $110,000-a-year post.
The two lawyers – John P. DaCruz, a Ludlow selectman, and Laura S. Gentile, of Springfield, an assistant Superior Court clerk – argued that the job’s complexities demanded legal training, while the non-lawyers – Springfield City Councilor and former School Committee member Thomas M. Ashe, and Linda A. DiSanti, of Chicopee, a legal administrator and law office manager for the past four decades – said management and budgetary experience were crucial for the job.
Holding up the 1,907-page Massachusetts Rules of the Court, 2012 edition, DaCruz pointed to the title and said, “You have to know them, and to do that you have to be a lawyer.”
Gentile noted that she had legal training, plus 15 years experience in the clerk’s office. “The only real issue is who is more qualified,” Gentile said, adding later “it takes years to know and understand the procedures.”
But DiSanti pointed out that not only is current Hampden Clerk of Courts Brian Lees not a lawyer, but the clerks in Franklin and Berkshire also lack law degrees, as does the clerk overseeing criminal cases in Suffolk County.
The three other candidates agreed with DaCruz’s emphasis on upgrading the technology in state court, especially putting case filings, schedules and other matters online, a practice used by the federal court system.
Ashe, the Worcester County Sheriff’s director of community correction, said that funding for any technology upgrade would have to come from the state Legislature.
He said he had the “political know-how” to work with state leaders, as well as the practical management skills to run the 23-employee office.
The debate – held at the Blake Law Center – was moderated by Arthur D. Wolf, director of the school’s Institute for Legislative and Governmental Affairs.
The candidates fielded questions from lawyers Marie P. Grady, of Agawam, and Jeffrey E. Poindexter, of Wilbraham.
The Democratic primary is Sept. 6, with no Republican candidates seeking the post.