Antoinette Parnell Balfour
On June 14, Marlboro County voters will have a chance to vote for a candidate to be Probate Judge.
Incumbent Mark Heath has competition from Antoniette Parnell Balfour, Patricia Bundy, and Reneka McQueen McCoy.
The Herald-Advocate emailed questionnaires to candidates to allow the voters to get to know them and what they hope to achieve if elected as Probate Judge.
Name: P. Mark Heath
Education: I earned a bachelor of arts in sociology with a minor in psychology from Appalachian State University.
Residence: Clio
Occupation:
I am the current Marlboro County Probate Judge.
What current or past offices have you held? I am the current Marlboro County Probate Judge.
What are your past/other areas of service?
I was an agent-in-charge with Probation and Parole for over twenty years. I have served as the elected Probate Judge for over twenty-three years.
What do you consider to be the top two responsibilities for the probate judge and how would you fulfill them?
One is assisting families with filing estates in a timely manner and directing them to the proper forms to complete through the eight months from the date of publication or one year from the date of death. The second is being on call twenty-four hours a day to assist families and law enforcement with crisis from family members for possible commitment.
What qualities, skills or experiences make you a better candidate than your opponents?
My knowledge and experiences from many years of working with the public doing estates and the real-life problems involved in a conflict.
Name: Antoinette Parnell Balfour
Education: I graduated cum laude from from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke with a bachelor of science in Mass Communication with a focus in public relations and a minor in religion. I earned an associate of arts degree from Northeastern Technical College in Cheraw.
Residence: Bennettsville
Occupation: Retired
What current or past offices have you held? None
What are your past/other areas of service?
I served as church school superintendent, chairperson of church finance, children’s coordinator, youth coordinator, church school teacher, church secretary, special programs coordinator, Adopt-A-Class co-chair, and Vacation Bible School coordinator and program developer. Other areas of service include public service where I worked as a behavior interventionist in the public school system and worked as a substitute teacher. Professional experience included designing and implementing youth and college-age students summer programs. I secured community, state and national partnerships to fund the programs. I have worked as a legal secretary where I composed and reviewed legal documents including wills. I have worked as a program coordinator for non-profit and for profit organizations where I supervised 7 employees, designed and implemented adult arts and craft programs, designed-submitted proposals for-and implemented grants which combined work and community service for two high school and two college students to serve as interns and mentors in a school-age summer enrichment program. Some programs included Bridge to Success summer program for school-age students which increased students’ academic aptitude; an after-school program for school-age children; additional summer activity programs for school-age children; inter-generational program; and a male mentoring program. I have designed budgets and abided by budgets already in place. I have documented and oversaw a food pantry (including receiving, disbursing and keeping records of funds, distribution of food items and maintaining a list of recipients according to guidelines). I have created local, state, and national partnerships. I successfully designed, submitted and implemented grants. I provided Front Line Customer Service. In educational and professional development training, I was a program coordinator and double dutch coach/coordinator for seven years, where I trained teams to win regional, state, and national awards. I have served as band auxiliary instructor, where I coached a color-guard team to win an Award of Excellence.
I have served as a speaking coach, where I trained students to compete and place in the top five in national public speaking competitions. I have also been a substitute teacher.
What do you consider to be the top two responsibilities for the probate judge and how would you fulfill them?
I consider the top two responsibilities for the probate judge to be honoring the code of conduct, protocol and processes established by rules and guidelines set forth for the probate office and understanding the needs, goals, and mindsets of citizens who seek probate services. In understanding mindsets, I will commit to remember that I am a servant of the people, and I should always be patient, compassionate and humbled when listening to them. Knowing that some may be in a heightened emotional state because of the duress that they are under, I will remember that even if they get upset and begin yelling, they are not yelling at me, but at their situation. Under such circumstances, I will offer them comfort and time to unwind before trying to move forward. In respectfully following the laws and guidelines, I will refer to statutes, education and informational resources to first explain the laws, guidelines, and the order of processes that must be followed to those seeking probate services. Next, ensure that community members are knowledgeable and have a clear understanding of what is expected of them, step by step. Propose a timeline to be followed from the first to the last step. And lastly, I will then continue, following the laws and guidelines as written. Sharing probate services information in the beginning stage will decrease the amount of time needed to complete and close probate cases while proving a warm comfortable atmosphere for those being served.
What qualities, skills or experiences make you a better candidate than your opponents?
Some qualities and skills or experiences that make me the best candidate for this role include being the only candidate for Probate Judge that does not work for and is not involved with the operations of Marlboro County. I am the channel for change. Additionally, I have a solid background and education that prepares me for this leadership position and a history of service to the county, many listed below. A history of establishing and maintaining partnerships on the community, state and national levels. My background is in writing, research and communication. My experience (via volunteer service and employment) as a public servant in Marlboro County. A history of interacting, coaching, teaching, and training citizens of various age levels (age 5 through senior citizens). The attribute of courage to apply the law while understanding the need to explain how and why the decisions handed down had to be made that way, in a humble manner. My ability to exercise patience, sympathy and empathy to those in need of it. A spirit of openness which will allow me to listen to what is being said, and the intuition to understand what is not being said. Values of punctuality and experience in meeting deadlines while fulfilling complete requirements. Experience in motivating others to achieve excellence. Experience, willingness, courage and skill to do required in-depth research to find a new and better way of doing things and carry out those new strategies in a way that does not contradict legal rules and guidelines or conflict with probate services. The insight to understand that no two people are the same and everyone does not understand or learn in the same manner. Therefore, when explaining procedures and processes, it may be necessary to use a minimum of visual (seeing) and auditory (hearing) examples, and sometimes even kinesthetic teaching (mutual interaction), often having to repeat them in order to ensure that everyone understands the path ahead. The willingness to put the people of Marlboro County first, giving them the respect they deserve, remembering that because my salary is paid by the taxpayers, I work for them. The willingness to be transparent and display integrity at all times.
Name: Patricia M. Bundy
Education: I am a 1982 Graduate of Blenheim High School. I earned a SC Clerks to Council Association Certification received through the College of Charleston’s Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Center for Livable Communities.
Residence: Bennettsville
Occupation:
Deputy Probate Judge for Marlboro County Probate Court
What current or past offices have you held? None
What are your past/other areas of service?
I served as Clerk to Marlboro County Council from 2013-2022. I am currently an active member of Bennettsville Second Baptist Church where I serve as Secretary and Sunday School Teacher. I also sing in the choir, serve on the Bereavement Committee and assist with Vacation Bible School.
What do you consider to be the top two responsibilities for the probate judge and how would you fulfill them?
One responsibility of the Probate Judge is to assist citizens in opening estates of deceased loved ones to ensure that the last wishes of the deceased individual are met, whether they died with or without a will. This is a very difficult time for family members and I would provide them with the courteous and compassionate service they deserve and answer any questions to those unfamiliar with the process in an effort to move things forward smoothly until concluded. Another responsibility of the Probate Judge is to assist in involuntary commitments of individuals to institutions. This is also very difficult for family members who have loved ones that suffer from addiction or mental issues. I know first-hand how difficult this can be and will assist in working to find the counseling or services needed for these individuals and assist the family in providing compassion and guidance during the process to help their loved one receive the much-needed help they so desperately need and deserve.
What qualities, skills or experiences make you a better candidate than your opponents?
I have worked in two law offices in Marlboro County for more than 26 years and have much experience in the areas of probate. I have the skills and background which is vitally important for this position. My experience with estate planning, preparation, and the handling of estates as a Personal Representative will serve the citizens of our county well as Probate Judge. I believe I would be an asset in this position and I am ready, willing and able to be an honest and dedicated public servant. If elected, I promise to have an open-door policy and will work hard to provide efficient and compassionate service to ALL citizens of Marlboro County.
Name: Reneka McQueen McCoy
Education: I earned an associate degree in human services and a bachelor’s degree in technical management. I am currently pursuing a master’s degree in human resource management.
Residence: Bennettsville
Occupation: I am a pre-trial intervention director for the Fourth Circuit Solicitor’s Office.
What current or past offices have you held?
I am the secretary of the School Improvement Council, president of the Bulldawg Hoop Booster Club/Basketball, and a volunteer with Marlboro County Hoop Booster Club.
What are your past/other areas of service? (church, civic organizations, etc.)
I am the secretary of the School Improvement Council, New Beginnings Transitional Shelter, and Young Adult Ministry of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church.
What do you consider to be the top two responsibilities for the probate judge and how would you fulfill them?
The top two responsibilities of a probate judge that I think are vital daily operations are being fair with decision making and listening to the concerns of parties. I plan to fulfill these responsibilities by implementing fairness and effective communication in every decision made pertaining to the well-being of those in need of services and direction. Also, being a fair and natural party plays an essential role in decision making, pertaining to wills, identifying heirs, and appointing individuals to manage the deceased’s estate. Furthermore, listening to the concerns of the citizens to build a rapport and trust concerning probate matters.
What qualities, skills or experiences make you a better candidate than your opponents?
Great candidates are created by having a passion and dedication to applying yourself in situations where decisions must be determined. Therefore, what makes me a better candidate is that I have leadership skills, the ability to make sound, practical and timely judgments, the ability to keep an open mind while hearing all sides of an argument, the ability to remain impartial and to demonstrate good judgment. Furthermore, I am empathic, have a reputation for honesty, integrity and fairness, open minded and willingness to learn, have superior active listening and communication skills, and a demonstrated commitment to community service. Additionally, I have 12 years’ experience with defendants of the Fourth Circuit Solicitors Office as a diversion director and an advocate for victims.