The Massachusetts primary is next Thursday, Sept. 8. Four candidates are running in the Democratic primary for Register of Deeds; a fifth independent candidate will appear on the November general election ballot. The Gazette emailed customized questionnaires to each announced candidate for office asking them to answer two general questions: why Martha’s Vineyard voters should elect them and what their qualifications were for office. County office candidates were also asked why the job they are seeking should matter to local voters.

Eve L. Vincent
Tisbury Democrat
Register of Deeds Candidate

Statement

I have the knowledge and experience necessary to effectively and efficiently run the Registry of Deeds for the benefit of the people of the county of Dukes County. My education, practice and history on the Vineyard, all listed below, have provided me with the skills necessary for this office. I love what I do, have a strong work ethic derived from many years working on the Island and I am passionate about every job I take on. I truly enjoy working with people and assisting them in not only finding but also understanding the answers they are looking for. Serving as Register of Deeds would be an honor and I can promise you that I would work hard to do the best possible job for the people of this county.

Qualifications

I was born and raised on the Vineyard. I attended the Edgartown School, MVRHS and Wheaton College in Norton, where I graduated with honors. Later I attended Suffolk Law School where I obtained my J.D. and worked for two different law firms. I sat on the board of the MV Museum and sit on the Community Development Advisory Board. I have an in depth knowledge of the standard practices, regulations and statutes controlling titles, real estate transfers and land court practice. Management and budgeting are integral skills I have developed while running a solo law practice. I am familiar with the county and the people who live in it. Over the years I have also spent a great deal of time in the Registry and have become familiar with the people and the customs there. All of these things combined provide me with the qualifications and strengths necessary to effectively and efficiently perform the job of Register for the people of Dukes County.

Importance of Registry

The Registry of Deeds is responsible for receiving and keeping a record of documents pertinent to the title of land located in the county of Dukes County. These records include the ownership history, boundaries, easements, covenants and other rights in and to these lands. If this information wasn’t organized and made available in the Registry the people of the county, including curious researchers and historians, would be at a total loss when trying to discover and determine the specifics of land located in the county. The Registry also serves as the county facility responsible for collecting deed excise fees, recording fees, land court fees and copy fees. While some of this income helps fund the Registry the remainder provides income for the county, the commonwealth, and other community resources. Therefore the Registry is not only a necessary record keeping facility but also an important source of funding that the people of Dukes County should definitely care about.