Kelly Ferrari

Kelly Ferrari of Center Township announced Friday her candidacy as a Republican for the Office of Prothonotary of Butler County.

Ferrari brings 28 years of experience, operating under her own business, Ferrari Court Reporting.

“I interact on a day-to-day basis with the attorneys, elected officials and others, who utilize the prothonotary’s office, and I know its utmost importance for filling, securing and maintaining court records, decisions and opinions,” Ferrari said.

Ferrari said many people don’t know much about the position established by first appointment in 1683 by William Penn.

The prothonotary’s office also is where civil records — such as genealogy, divorce and annulment and naturalization — are kept on a permanent basis.

Ferrari said she saw the retirement of Glenna Walters, who she respects, as an opportunity to further put her experience to good use to make an impact on her community.

“For the last nine years, I have been the court reporter covering all divorce master’s hearings in Butler County,” Ferrari said. “As a result, I am very familiar with the family court system and the records generated by custody, divorce and PFA (Protection From Abuse) matters.”

Ferrari said her roots in Butler County run deep. Her father, the late George Smith, was a firefighter and chief of the Butler City Fire Department for 25 years. He also served as a Butler City council member and fire marshal for Butler Township.

Ferrari said her roots only add to her experience.

“I’ve lived in Butler my whole life. I’ve worked with everyone who uses the (prothonotary) office,” Ferrari said. “My experience has provided me the management and communication skills needed to run this office in a professional manner.”

She said she also intends to focus on those who regularly use the office, including lawyers and their staff.

“I think that office needs to be more customer-service oriented,” Ferrari said.