Gentile joins field vying for Hampden County Clerk of Courts


Laura Gentile Reminder Publications submitted photo

June 11, 2012

By Katelyn Gendron

katelyn@thereminder.com

SPRINGFIELD — Laura Gentile is no stranger to the city of Springfield or the Hampden County Court system, which is why she's committed to "running for a promotion, not for office."

Gentile, a lifelong Springfield resident and assistant clerk of courts, has added her name to the list of contenders for Hampden County Clerk of Courts, which includes Springfield City Councilor Thomas Ashe, former Ludlow Selectman John DaCruz and Linda Stec DiSanti, a legal administrator and office manager at DiSanti Law Offices in West Springfield.

"I'm not a politician. This is a promotion for me and it's up to the taxpayers. If you're a taxpayer this is an important office because it is the face of justice for the public," Gentile said.

Her experiences throughout the past 15 years as assistant clerk of courts and her education — she received a law degree from Western New England University and a master's degree in public administration from American International College — are what put her ahead of the field, she explained.

"I've done this job for 15 years. There's no learning curve for me. I can go into the courtroom; I can run a session; I can rule on motions and all things necessary for that part of the job and handle the administrative tasks. Anybody who says that there's no legal component to this job, they haven't read the job description. This is definitely a job that a lawyer should have," Gentile said.

She called her time serving under Court Clerk Brian Lees a learning experience and one that she is grateful to have had.

When asked if Lees had offered her his endorsement, Gentile replied, "He certainly kept his door wide open for me and offered all the time in the world to talk to him. He's been extremely supportive and kind to me. "

If elected, she said some changes would be necessary in order to ensure the office remains solvent during these difficult economic times.

"We need to reinvent the way we do things. We don't have the luxury to say that we can go out and get more staff. We can cross-train our staff and have them learn new things and do multiple tasks so that the assembly line doesn't stop when people are out," Gentile explained, noting that she'd also look to streamline jury service as well as transportation services for prisoners so that overtime costs are not incurred.

She declined to give any further plans away, adding with a chuckle, "I don't want to give the book away."

Comments From Our Readers:

whoknows1 6/13/2012 3:49:01 PM	I really have some doubts on Ms. Gentile's grasp of the office she seeks. First, it is not up to the taxpayers to elect her, this responsibility clearly rests with the voters of Hampden County. To assume that all taxpayers are voters is quite an assumption. Second, are not the other candidates in this race equally qualified with their individual educational degrees? Seems to me, rather than rest on ones qualifications on educational achievements, maybe we should look at the experience of the candidates. This leads to my third point; this office is an administrative position. For Ms. Gentile to proclaim that the Clerk can rule on motions is incorrect. The Clerk is not a Judge. A Judge rules on motions. This office does not require a Law Degree. Her current boss, Mr. Lees does not have a Law Degree nor did William Martin. This office is 100% administrative and the best candidate would be one with experience in the administrative field. While Ms. Gentile insinuates the endorsement of her current boss Mr. Lees, he clearly has NOT endorsed her publically in and venue. It is my assertion that after working directly for Mr. Lees over the last six years and not receiving a glowing endorsement, one has to wonder why this is so?
whoknows1 6/13/2012 4:16:41 PM	I want to apologize. My second to last statement had a typo: I meant to say "any" venue. Sorry. I would also like to offer this observation: Would not a "promotion" really mean that that of First Assistant? Kevin Claffey currently holds that position. After 15 years, you have to ask why that position has been elusive to Ms. Gentile?