Jean Papay of Palmerton has announced her candidacy for register of wills and clerk of orphans' court in Carbon County. She is seeking the Republican nomination in the May 16 primary.

Papay was born and raised in Carbon County by her parents Karl and Pearl Kuntzman of Aquashicola. She graduated from Palmerton Area High School and earned an associate degree in business management at Allentown Business School. Papay resides in Palmerton where she and her husband, Scott, raise their children: Brett, 18; Nicholas, 15; and Casi, 15."I have always believed that a good public servant is one who never forgets where they came from and understands the people they serve," Papay said. "As someone who was born and raised right here in Carbon County, I have always appreciated the shared values of our community from an early age. I continue to respect those values today and use them to guide my daily decision as a mother, wife and daughter."Papay has over 20 years of management experience in the private sector, where she worked for Lafarge North America as senior sales administrator and for Continental Express Airlines as an aircraft maintenance planner.Papay also has six years of experience in the public sector as state Rep. Doyle Heffley's office manager. "It is very rewarding work; I enjoy helping Carbon County residents with state-related issues."Papay, with her husband, started a cleaning company, Mystic Cleaning Service, which contracts to clean offices and medical facilities throughout the region.Papay has been married for 25 years. She is also involved in the community as a member on the Family Promise Board, the Palmerton Lighting Committee, and the Faith Alive United Methodist Church. She also was a basketball coach for the Palmerton Youth Organization."My 26 years of office management, in both the private and public sectors, have prepared me to bring fresh ideas and new approaches to run an efficient and effective Carbon County row office. I am confident that I can do an excellent job for the people of Carbon County and look forward to serving as their next register of wills."