Linda Raimo challenges Tim Sponseller for Franklin County prothonotary
The position of prothonotary is among several county row offices with contested races in the municipal election on Nov. 7.
Tim Sponseller, the Republican two-term incumbent, faces a challenge from Linda Raimo, a former executive assistant to CEOs in the corporate world. Both were the lone candidates in the primary election.
The prothonotary's office files all civil documents, divorces, custody, protection from abuse cases and judgments.
We asked each candidate to participate in a written Q&A. Their responses are below, listed in the order in which candidates' names will appear on the ballot.
Linda Raimo
Tell voters about your background/experience and why you are the best candidate for prothonotary.
My name is Linda Raimo and I am running for Prothonotary to serve people of Franklin County. My experiences in both corporate environment and as a local small business owner over the years has given me insight that I will bring to be a more proactive prothonotary for Franklin County. In the role as your prothonotary, I will uphold the accuracy, efficiency and time sensitive matters within the judicial processes.
I grew up in New York and worked in my parent’s restaurant with my six siblings before attending Berkley Business School. I had a successful career working in corporate environments as the Assistant to the Vice President of Public Relations of United Nuclear Corporation, Assistant to the General Council for Unilever North America, Assistant to the President of Cadbury Schweppes, and Assistant to the Vice Chair at the Blackstone Group. I was a commissioned Notary Public in New York State and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
As assistant to these executives, all information that passed through their offices and my office was confidential and time sensitive. Finger printing and a background check were part of my hiring processes. In one instance a top-secret clearance was required. Communication between head office and divisions was a honed skill to collaborate and lead effectively with different people within and outside of the organizations.
I retired from the corporate world and moved to Chambersburg in 2003, where I worked at Wilson College for 14 years as the Administrative Assistant to the Vice President of Advancement. Fundraising was the primary function of this division. At the same time, I purchased a large home and operated Lillie’s Garden Bed and Breakfast in Chambersburg for 16 years. Details were paramount for the comfort, cleanliness, and passing 55 tests to obtain a bed and breakfast license including Chambersburg Borough zoning rules, state and county building codes, insurance liability coverage, culinary license, and fire safety regulations.
Currently a Member of the Women's Democratic Club of Franklin County.
Former Director of the Council for the Arts of Chambersburg.
As your prothonotary, I am committed to using my corporate and entrepreneurial experiences of proven responsibility for executing the duties and working relationships with peers and supervisors. My commitment is to work every day in the judicial arena of civil courts. To file civil complaints and related pleadings for future reference. Protection from abuse actions is filed in family court and have time sensitivity. Complex matters must be handled with confidentially, systematically and efficiently filed so they can be retrieved easily and timely. My passion for public service comes from my intimate understanding of the challenges that are faced by those in need of services to ensure their safety and well-being; and success of being a small business owner. Combined, I believe my background makes me an ideal candidate for this position.
Learn about other local races: Meet the candidates for Franklin County commissioner
What will be your top two priorities if elected? Discuss why and what actions you will take.
I will commit in keeping an open-door policy with all staff members and work as a team to resolve any related administrative issues by earning their respect and trust. I will go to work every day in the Prothonotary’s office.
I will persist in being responsible and accountable in having an organized, well-run Prothonotary’s office. The office will be open for the filing of civil complaints and related pleadings. In family court matters such as divorce, custody cases and protection from abuse actions will be filed so that can be retrieved easily and timely.
Tim Sponseller
Tell voters about your background/experience and why you are the best candidate for prothonotary.
Timothy S. Sponseller graduated from Shippensburg University State College (now Shippensburg University) with a B.A. in history and Temple University School of Law in 1975 with a J.D. (Juris Doctor) and was admitted to the bar the same year. He has practiced law in Chambersburg for 48 years. He was elected Prothonotary in 2015 and re-elected in 2019, thereby serving 2 consecutive 4-year terms. He is the incumbent Prothonotary.
Learn about other local races: Who are the candidates for Franklin County register and recorder?
What will be your top two priorities if elected? Discuss why and what actions you will take.
The Prothonotary Office in Pennsylvania is a quasi-judicial processing and filing office which has a variety of functions but to summarize briefly it is the civil arm of the local Common Pleas Court handling all divorce, custody, general civil litigation, Protection from abuse and domestic relations to name a few. To pigeon-hole two top priorities would be to undervalue the remaining ones. I value several relationships which are vital to the successful operation of this important office: the relationships with the public, our local common Pleas Court and the liaison with our executive branch of county government notably our County Commissioners. The combination of fairness, balance and tolerance is a successful one. Our staff of 7 has been more than equal to the tasks before them over the past nearly 8 years and the best indicator of what the future holds is a look at that positive record.
This article originally appeared on Chambersburg Public Opinion: Franklin County prothonotary candidates on experience, priorities
