Wilton voters also have a say in the choice of Judge of Probate, for Norwalk and Wilton. There are two candidates vying for the spot, as the current probate judge, Anthony DePanfilis, is not running for re-election.

A probate judge oversees civil court proceedings in the area of probate–estates and trusts of deceased individuals, adoptions and guardianship, incapacitated adults and competency, and name changes. The most common types of cases heard in probate courts are estate issues.

The two candidates running for judge of probate are Larry Cafero (R) and Doug Stern (D). Below is their candidate-supplied biographical information as well as links to the Op-Eds they provided to GOOD Morning Wilton (in order of how they appear on the ballot):

Doug Stern (D)

Doug Stern serves on the City of Norwalk’s Common Council in an at-large or city-wide capacity. He is a member of the Council’s Ordinance, Personnel, and Health, Welfare and Public Safety Committees. Prior to this Stern served on the city’s Zoning Commission. He has been serving on the board of directors of the Family and Children’s Agency, Norwalk’s oldest non-profit, for the past five years and is a former legal redress chairman of the Norwalk branch of the NAACP. Stern is a graduate of Vanderbilt University and Tulane University’s School of Law and manages a solo practice in Norwalk.

You can read Doug Stern’s Candidate Op-Ed here, which was published on Oct. 30, 2018.

Larry Cafero (R)

35 years in the practice of law. Mediation certification from Quinnipiac Law School. Certified Arbitrator by the American Arbitration Association. Served over 25 years in a judicial role of Due Process Hearing Officer for the Norwalk Public Schools, presiding over more than 1000 hearings. Devoted 28 years to public service in elective office, including 22 years representing Norwalk and Wilton in the State Legislature. Lifelong Norwalk resident. Married 35 years to Barbara. Raised three amazing kids. Volunteer for numerous Norwalk/Wilton organizations, including Board Member of Side by Side Charter School and, as a coach for the Wilton YMCA Special Olympics.

You can read Larry Cafero’s Candidate Op-Ed here, which was published on Oct. 10, 2018.