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.
Lani Frank
By Lani Frank, Democratic Candidate for Chester County Register of Wills
1. Whether you are an incumbent, or a challenger, what prompted you to seek public office?
I am running for office because I want to bring the skills and talents I have acquired over the past 35 years in the private sector to county government. The taxpayers of Chester County deserve a public servant who will treat people equally and without bias and one who will work a full day for a full day’s pay. I am that person. When elected, I will implement 21st century procedures to streamline the activities of the office, which it currently lacks, such as online filing of documents, allowing taxpayers to use credit cards to pay their fees, and digitizing stored documents.
2. Can you describe an achievement in your professional or elective life that you are especially proud of, and why?
As an entrepreneur, I’ve experienced the thrill of starting two small businesses. My most recent venture is Whirled Peace Frozen Yogurt, where my son and I designed 3 stores over the last 5 years. As CFO, my responsibilities include managing staff, establishing policies procedures as well as issuing payroll and paying bills. Yet the most satisfying aspect of owning the stores is seeing the happy faces of my customers. I am proud to have provided such a positive environment which has brought joy to my local community.
3. Talk about a difficult decision you’ve had to make, how you went about it and what the outcome was.
In 1988, my husband, a licensed Physical Therapist, was invited by a colleague to be a founding partner in a private PT practice in King of Prussia. When circumstances changed for the other therapist, we made the difficult decision to pursue the opportunity of opening the practice on our own. My husband and I built the business from the ground up. He was the medical practitioner, and I managed the office, with responsibilities including accounts receivable, accounts payable and payroll. Unfortunately in 2009, my husband sustained an injury, causing him to become disabled. It was a sad day when we had to close our very successful medical practice which had provided employment to our family and staff for over 20 years.
4. 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 Register of Wills settles estates, with or without wills, collects inheritance taxes, acts as the Clerk for Orphans Court, and issues marriage licenses.
5. What qualities do you feel make you the best candidate for that job?
I am responsible, efficient, ethical, and unbiased, and I have a strong work ethic. As some may be aware, the office of Register of Wills is similar to the office of County Clerk in Kentucky, where Kim Davis has refused to issue marriage licenses due to her personal religious beliefs. I pledge to bring my skills and talents to this office, and I will never allow my personal beliefs to undermine my ability to perform any of my duties in this job.
6. What do you feel are the most important issues in your race?
I have concerns about my opponent who has apologized publicly for having to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, implying that if it were her choice, she would refuse to do so. We cannot allow our public servants to decide which part of their job interferes with their personal beliefs and pick and choose which duties they will or will not perform.
7. Is there anything else that you would like the people of Chester County to know about you?
My background as a small business owner, managing staff and balancing budgets for over 25 years makes me uniquely qualified. In addition, my plans to streamline the office procedures, and create better efficiencies for the department are procedures I have instituted in my own business.
Lani Frank is the clear favorite for people who want to assure that this office is headed by someone who will not allow her personal beliefs to override her civic duty or OUR civil rights!