It is with great pleasure that I announce that I am running for the Hamden-Bethany Probate Court District Judge position in the upcoming Democratic Primary. I qualified for the August 14th Primary by getting over 1,100 signatures on our Primary Petitions in nine days.
I practice law on Whitney Avenue with my wife, Attorney M. Christine (Chris) Burt. I have been an active member in community affairs for decades. I live in the house I grew up in on Carmalt Road and am a 1973 Graduate of Hamden High School after having gone to school at Spring Glen and St. Rita's and Sleeping Giant Junior High School.
I am a Fairfield University graduate and obtained my law degree at Western New England School of Law.
I played baseball and ran cross-country in high school. I carried over my love of baseball to coaching and sponsoring teams in the Hamden Fathers' Baseball and Softball Association for 35 years. I was an original member of Larry's Playground at Bassett Park and am proud to say that I helped build it many years ago.
I have been active in the Southern Connecticut Diamond (Baseball) Club for years and created my own website for local sports and community affairs entitled Burtsville. I was fortunate to start this site the year the Hamden High School Hockey Team won their first State Championship Title in over 20 years and then again the next year to become the first HHS team in over 30 years to win the title Back2Back.
I have been involved in local politics but strayed away from it years ago to participate in family and other community activities. I now find myself telling others about what I have done in the community but am not totally comfortable doing so. I am not comfortable doing so because I did all these activites because I love this town and the people in it.
I have not done what I have done to garner attention or to get a vote, but now I find myself having to ask you all for your support--and your vote--so I can continue to serve the community that I love and where we chose to raise our children. While I am not comfortable doing so, I feel it is important to make sure everyone knows how dedicated I have been and still am to this community and its residents.
And I have pledged to the Bethany community to get to know them better so that I can serve them as well if I am fortunate enough to be elected as your Probate Judge. It is important that the Hamden-Bethany Probate Court Judge knows both communities to best serve the public. And I am totally committed to serving both towns should I be elected to this important post.
I have always wanted to be the Probate Court Judge. Both Hamden and Bethany have been fortunate to have two outstanding people serve their respective towns for over 30 years as Probate Judges. The Honorable Guy Yale and the Honorable Salvatore Diglio have been wonderful Judges and are fine gentlemen. And Judge Piscitelli in Hamden before Judge Diglio was another fine gentlemen and excellent judge.
It is my intention to continue their fine tradition of Compassion and Fairness with a high degree of Integrity in dealing with families at some of the most difficult times of their lives. The Probate Court Judge position is very important to families in a time of need. It deals with Estate issues after someone has died, it deals wtih guardianship issues, adoptions, and so many other family related matters, some of which come at very difficult and trying times for family members.
This District needs someone in that position who has practiced in this area, has served the community well, and who can make difficult decisions in a fair and honest and compassionate manner.
I have conducted a General Practice of law for over 30 years in Hamden. I serve as a Court Appointed Arbitrator for the Superior Court of the State of Connecticut. I have been an Adjunct Faculty Member at Quinnipiac University for over 25 years.
I have handled cases involving tragic deaths in automobile accidents, have handled real estate matters and have handled probate matters on a regular basis for three decades. I have made difficult decisions in Arbitration cases involving complex issues. And I have studied subjects in order to teach my students so that they can better understand issues involving legal topics.
I have prided myself in handling all these matters in a fair and compassionate manner with a high degree of integrity. This is the way I have conducted my personal and professional life and this is the way I hope to handle any matter that comes before me should I be fortunate enough to be the Hamden-Bethany Probate Court Judge.
Our three children all graduated from HHS: Eddie has been teaching English in Krakow, Poland for three years after graduating from St. Louis University's Madrid Campus; Rachel was a substitute teacher at the Wintergreen Magnet School this past year after graduating from Fordham University, and, Jimmy just finished a year at Trinity Pawling Prep School and will continue his academic career next year at Trinity College while playing college hockey.
The Hamden and Bethany Probate Courts were combined into one as part of the state consolidation of Probate Courts. Judge Yale has retired from his Bethany position. Judge Diglio will reach retirement age next year.
The Democratic Primary is being held on Tuesday, August 14th in both towns. If anyone needs any information about polling places, registration, or absentee ballot applications, please feel free to contact me. Polling Places and more detailed information about Districts, Ballots, etc. will be posted on my Face Book Page (Ned Burt) in the near future.
I ask for your support and your vote in the August 14th Democratic Primary.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Edward C. "Ned" Burt, Jr.
