Election 2023: Here are the candidates running for Berks County register of wills and what else you should know about the race

The race for Berks County register of wills pits a newcomer against a longtime department employee.

Republican Suzanne Myers is serving in the position, taking over on an interim basis when Larry Medaglia left the post to fill the newly created role of deputy chief operations officer for the county. Myers has worked in the office since 1988, serving as the chief deputy for more than two decades.

She will face Democrat Adrian Jadic, a retired engineer and math teacher from Wyomissing.

The primary function of the register of wills is to determine whether the document offered for probate should be received as the last will of a decedent. When disputes arise at the time of probate, the register is empowered to hold hearings, take testimony, review evidence and render decisions on how the administration of the estate shall proceed.

The official also serves as the clerk of the Orphan’s Court. Those responsibilities include maintaining the docket and files for adoptions, guardianships and other issues that may come before the court, as well as issuing marriage licenses.

The register of wills serves a four-year term and has an annual salary of $101,484.

We asked the candidates to respond to one question:

Question: What would be your top three priorities if elected?

Adrian Jadic

Party: Democrat.

Age: 61.

Background: Jadic, a Wyomissing resident, is a retired engineer and math teacher.

Website: jadic.us

Response: My top three priorities if elected are:

Streamlining operations — My first priority will be to streamline operations and modernize the office. Leveraging my engineering background, I’ll implement process optimization techniques to improve efficiency, ultimately saving taxpayers money.

Community outreach and education — I plan to enhance community outreach by actively working with various community organizations. Through workshops and informational sessions, we’ll educate residents — especially those from diverse backgrounds — on vital issues such as wills, estates and marriage licenses.

Advocacy for fair inheritance tax reform — While respecting existing accomplishments, I’ll also be an advocate for thoughtful inheritance tax reform. The focus will be on introducing thresholds that allow hardworking families to pass on their homes and small estates to their children tax-free.

By focusing on these key areas, I aim to not only manage the register of wills office efficiently but also turn it into a hub for advocacy, community education and fairness.

Suzanne Myers

Party: Republican.

Age: 58.

Background: Myers, a Muhlenberg Township resident, has worked in the Berks County Register of Wills Office since 1988, serving as the chief deputy for more than two decades. She is a graduate of Gov. Mifflin High School.

Website: berkscountyteam.com

Response: The top three priorities should I be elected as register of wills first and foremost will be my commitment to serving the public. That is, and will be, my priority.

We’ve already taken the marriage license application process online. We’ve incorporated virtual probates into the process, making it far more convenient for attorneys and their clients to do business with my office.

Electronic filing is a must, and the next step toward streamlining the way people conduct business with my office. I and the Registers of Wills and Clerks of Orphans’ Court Association, of which I am a member, are working with the rules committee and the courts to make this a reality. Electronic imaging remains a critical part of preserving our records. As an office required to keep all of our records forever, we’ll continue to manage and protect our historic documents.

Source: Berkshire mont