EDITOR’S NOTE — The Times asked the 2015 candidates for Chester County county-wide office to answer a serious of questions relative to their campaign and office, as well as their personal background. Wanting to give each candidate a direct, unfiltered, option to communicate with the voters, these responses are not edited nor abridged in any way.
By Tisha Brown, Candidate, Chester County Prothonotary
Tisha Brown
Whether you are an incumbent, or a challenger, what prompted you to seek public office?
The desire to be a public servant, the desire to give back to my community, the opportunity to work for the diverse Chester County population, and to lend my administrative experience to the office are what prompted me to seek public office.
Can you describe an achievement in your professional or elective life that you are especially proud of, and why?
I once took on a role to oversee a department with very low morale and it was also close to financial ruins. With effective team management I was able to help grow staff to where the department became the “go to” for the rest of the company in addition to ensuring profitability for the organization. That is an achievement in my professional life that I am especially proud of seeing how many of those very staff members currently hold leadership positions themselves.
Talk about a difficult decision you’ve had to make, how you went about it and what the outcome was.
One of the most difficult decisions I have had to make, and have done so many times, is termination of a staff member. Some cases are not difficult at all. However, there have been times when I have had to make decisions that were in the best interest of an organization that were not reflective of a staff person’s performance. Eliminating someone’s livelihood is no easy task. However, as an administrator it was my role to remove personal bias and act according to the policies that are set before me. Reviewing those policies and procedures and determining that my actions were ethical are how I was able to professionally relieve a staff member of their duties.
As not all Row Offices are as self explanatory as District Attorney or Sheriff, can you, briefly, explain the duties of the office you seek? The Office of Prothonotary is an administrative position much like a court clerk.
The Office of Prothonotary is elected to oversee the recording of all civil procedures. It is also responsible for recording and filing of many legal documentations relating to liens, judgments, divorce, child support, custody, Protection From Abuse (PFA) orders to name a few. The Prothonotary’s office is also where passports are processed.
What qualities do you feel make you the best candidate for that job?
13 years of administrative experience ensuring compliance with local, state and federal regulating departments for both profit and non-profit organizations, notable effective leadership capabilities, education (Masters of Human Service), coupled with my passion for excellence make me the best candidate for the Office of Prothonotary.
What do you feel are the most important issues in your race?
The most important factor in selecting a Prothonotary is ensuring the person elected is capable of effectively and efficiently overseeing an established operation all the while working to bring necessary methodology to help enhance the service of the office and the delivery there of.
Is there anything else that you would like the people of Chester County to know about you?
I have resided, was educated, and have worked in Chester County for the vast majority of my life. I am pleased to be among the rich diverse culture this county has to offer. It is with great humility that I accepted the party nomination to seek the Office of Prothonotary.
