by Tim McManus

When most people step into the voting both next Tuesday, their eyes won’t scan down to Register of Wills first — or even second or third. When they do go get to that part of the ballot, odds are good that not many will recognize the role of the office. That’s exactly why Republican candidate Anita Zalewski thinks it’s time to unseat long-time Democratic incumbent Ron Donatucci.

According to Zalewski, the office — responsible for marriage licenses and the cataloguing of estate records — is antiquated and needs to make its services more accessible, particularly to senior citizens.

“For seniors, this isn’t pleasant and some might not have a will. We need to reach those people,” Zalewski said.

To make the office more user-friendly and relevant in the technology age, Zalewski feels it must change. The West Mt. Airy resident envisions a Web site that will explain the process of registering a will and allow residents to download forms directly. She also plans to keep her office open weekends, and hopes to set up a strong satellite office program in senior centers — initiatives she finds lacking under Donatucci’s leadership.

In a heavily Democratic city, Zalewski faces an uphill fight, but the energetic contender feels that voters will recognize that it’s the right time to vote Republican.

She said, “We have a financial crisis here and this is one small way to make the city more efficient. I can make the office more streamlined and professional.”

Zalewski said that her strong business credentials make her the right person for the task of updating the antiquated office. A Mount St. Joseph Academy graduate, Zalewski went to college at Emory, and holds a master’s degree in public health from Yale, which she put to use as a management consultant in the health insurance industry.

Returning to the city after her time away, Zalewski helped start the Center City Young Republicans. Stepping into the fervor of an exciting election year unlocked a latent desire to run for office. Since her background fit with the needs of the Register of Wills office, Zalewski earned the party’s backing and is the only Republican woman running for a citywide position.

Zalewski has gone into traditional Democratic strongholds to spread her modern approach to running the office.

“The reception has been phenmomenal,” she said.

Zalewski has attended street fairs in Chestnut Hill and South Philadelphia, and spoken about her platform at candidate nights in Chestnut Hill, West Philly and Wynnfield. At one of her stops at a local church, Zalewski even ran into the king of Ghana.

The race for Register of Wills isn’t polled, so it isn’t clear where Zalewski stands, but her experience has been positive.

“It’s a great time to run. I’m really learning the ropes,” Zalewski said.