Pike Prothonotary Prepares to Retire--and Spotlights a Possible Successor
Pike County Prothonotary Denise Fitzpatrick will retire in December after serving in a variety of Pike County positions for 39 years. She has introduced a candidate she endorses.
By Frances Ruth Harris
An industrious hum thrummed through the Pike County Prothonotary’s office on a recent day and on every day when this reporter has visited Prothonotary Denise Fitzpatrick. She has honed this hum among people seated at numerous desks around her during her 39 years in that office. In December, she will leave the orchestration to someone else.
Her staff members stare at screens, compile data, make records, date and time stamp documents and assist the public with their questions at the window. They print documents too, for 50 cents per page. They provide forms such as licenses and applications for passports. Every legal document requires its own process. They have a special process for those who have been abused and can provide information about what such a person can do, which many don’t know. (24/7 self help numbers: Call 570-253-4401, 570-296-HELP, 570-296-4357).
It's a busy place.
Fitzpatrick knows the many and varied processes of her office and is respected for her expertise and command of this realm as well as her thoughtful and careful demeanor. She knows many attorneys well and greets some with a smile or laughter, even an occasional hug. Because of her handle on all things prothonotary, her absence will be a challenge for the office.
"The Pike County Prothonotary is custodian of all court legal records in Pike County," she said, articulating the hum’s content, which is further explained on the county website:
"The Prothonotary is an elected official clerk of the Court of Common Pleas and is responsible for recording all civil procedures before the court. This official signs and seals all writs and processes numerous other documents of the Court of Common Pleas.
"The Office of Prothonotary is responsible for the recording and filing of legal papers of a widely diversified character such as personal injury, medical malpractice, divorce, custody, protection from abuse, judgments, change of name, school audits, driver's license suspension appeals, District Justice appeals, mechanics liens, Federal income tax liens, and administers oaths and affirmations. This office also processes passport applications."
Fitzpatrick's 39 year history
Denise Fitzpatick began in July of 1984 as a clerk for five Pike County offices: 1) the prothonotary's office, 2) the clerk of courts, 3) clerk of the orphans' court 4) recorder of deeds, and 5) office of the register of wills. In 1994, she left for 18 months for the birth of her child. She returned in l996 as clerk and became First Deputy Prothonotary.
Prothonotary Joyce Helms left the position in 2005, and Fitzpatrick became acting prothonotary until Governor Ed Rendell appointed her prothonotary.
In 2007, she ran for the position for the first time. Over the years, she continued to run and win. Three years ago she was elected by a landslide.
Over the years she mastered the intricate details of the many processes involved in her current three positions: Prothonotary, Clerk of the Courts, Clerk of the Orphans' Court. She looks forward to traveling and says she will find out what it means not to follow such a demanding schedule. However, she is also finishing her M.A. degree in counseling at Clarks Summit University.
Denise Fitzpatrick endorses Yvonne Merrill as her successor
Fitzpatrick has endorsed Yvonne Merrill for her position because, she said, "She would be efficient and competent for the position. She has experience with court records, attorneys and the public."
Merrill said she hopes to be elected Pike County's next prothonotary, noting that her current job involves the intricate processes of filing and management of deeds.
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What happened at the prothonotary office. They used to be friendly, nice. Now they are rude and miserable. Maybe Denise Fitzpatrick kept a happy place.