® ) 6 O ® O O © H J J I = ) © y pe 4 pi 0 ) © The Dallas Post I Dallas, PA Wednesday, May 12, 1993 17 is an extremely hard working court. It issues in excess of 4,000 formal opinions each year. The parties have a right to arguments before the court in almost all categories of cases even where no novel or important issue is presented. I believe that the court would work more efficiently if ar- gument is reserved for cases in which the court believes it is neces- sary. Additionally, I support the disposition of routine appeals by the issuance of orders without opinions. ROBERT P. HORGOS Munhall D.O.B.: 5/17/51 Qualifications: Bachelor of Science and Doctorate of Jurisprudence at Villanova Univ. Ten years Common Pleas Court Judge - Civil Div. complex Litigation (Class Action Cases), Priority Prosecutor of Murder, Rape & Robert at District Attomey's Office, a Trial Defender for Allegheny County and State Representative PA Legislature's Judiciary Committee. Question: Computerize all indi- vidual courtrooms. Limit Post Trial applications (of a repeated nature) by criminal defendants for relief in the same matter. Seek to create new al- ternative programs that would settle “civil litigation before the trial stage. PETER J. O'BRIEN Mount Pocono D.O.B.: 8/13/38 Qualifications: The law is my vocation and I cherish the opportu- nity a legal career affords for public service. After three ycars as an Army Prosecutor, twenty years practicing law and seven years experience as a Common Pleas Judge, I believe I am qualified to serve on the Superior Court. Question: The principle of pro- gression of responsibility commen- surate with experience is followed in education and business and should be applied to improve the administra- tion of justice in PA since the pri- mary responsibility of Appellate Judges is to review the work of Common Pleas Judges. Appellate Judges should be selected from the elected Common Pleas Judges. Justice of the Supreme Court should be selected from the Judges of the Superior Court and Commonwealth Court. (Vote for one) GREG REED Mechanicsburgh D.O.B.: 9/13/51 Qualifications: Doctor of Jurisprudence; Writing Editor Cumberland Law Review; Admitted to bar of Supreme Court of PA; Federal Dist. Court; U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals - Third Circuit; member of PA Bar Assoc.; Dauphin County Bar Assoc.; substantial trial experience; assist. district attorney; municipal law as a county solicitor; currently practicing in Harrisburg. Question: Re-establish the cred- ibility of appellate courts. All judges are unfairly assigned the same nega- tive public image resulting in cyni- cism toward the courts. We can be- gin by prohibiting judicial candi- dates, like myself, from accepting money from attomeys who may ap- pear before the court. Attorneys must be discouraged from filing frivolous lawsuits which create back- logs of cases. The courts should en- force sanctions already authorized by law. THOMAS G. SAYLOR Camp Hill D.O.B.: 12/14/46 Qualifications: I am 46 years old and a partner with Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott. I am a graduate of the Univ. of Virginia and Columbia Law School. I have a strong background in both civil and criminal law and served as Director of the PA Bureau of Consumer Protection and First Deputy Attomey General. Question: I support the constitu- tional amendment which is on the Primary ballot and which would re- place the Judicial Inquiry and Review Board with a new judicial discipline system. The proposed style, consist- ing of two boards not dominated by judges, would open the judicial dis- cipline process to the public and establish a procedure whereby the Supreme Court would not sit in judgement of another Justice. JUDGE OF THE COMMONWELATH COURT ~The nine member Commonwealth Court, established in 1968, has both original and appellate jurisdiction. Its judges are elected for 10-year terms, with the President Judge elected to a 5-year term by the mem- bers. The Court generally hears cases relating to the activities of the ‘Commonwealth and its agencies. Term: 10 years Salary: $101,500 (Vote for one) JOSEPH SABINO MISTICK Pittsburgh D.O.B.: 3/3/49 Qualifications: Current; Law Prof. - Duquesne Univ., Private Practice Attorney, Municipal Solicitor. Prior: - Exec. Secy. to Pittsburgh Mayor, Zoning Bd. chair., Planning Commissioner, League of Cities Delegate, Borough Councilman, Auditorium Authority Member, Borough Secy. Southwestern PA Regional Planning Commissioner, Pittsburgh Apportionment Commissioner, County Commissioners’ Service Center Dir., Allegheny Court Assistant Chief Clerk. Question: Allegheny County courts have established one of the lowest national back-logs to judge- to-case ratios through computerized dockets and professional administra- tion. This must be duplicated state- wide. Together with telephone con- ferencing, electronic mail and more extensive use of senior judges, addi- tional efficiencies can be realized. These improvements can be funded by the adoption of a mechanicsm to screen out frivolous appeals while ensuring swift justice to our citizens. AMY PUTNAM Harrisburg D.O.B.: 3/22/52 Qualifications: B./A., Univ. of PA; J.D., Temple Univ., 1977; pri- vate practice; Commonwealth court, clerk and central staff; DER, Litigation; Commonwealth, Deputy General Counsel; Adjunct Prof., Widener Law Sch.; PBA: Chair-se- lect, Judicial Admin. Committee; Sec./Treas. Administrative law Section; council, Civil Litigation and Environmental Sections; Chair, EHB Rules committee; Pres., Harrisburg Area Women Lawyers’ Assn. Question: Our courts are clogged with more complex and more expensive litigation every day. The role of judge should be one of leadership in the fair and timely dis- pensation of justice. I believe that judges have a responsibility to en- courage lawyers to avoid the neces- sity of extensive litigation. I am therefore a member of the Dauphin County Bar Association's Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee and its professionalism committee, and I developed the mandatory CLE Ethics program for state attorneys. JOSEPH M. COSGROVE Forty Fort D.O.B.: 2/1/57 Qualifications: Triple graduate of Notre Dame; Bachelors '69; mas- ters in Theology '82; Law School, '82. Served as Assist. Dean of King's College '83-'85 and remain a member of its faculty. Primary liti- gation practice for over ten years. Much of my work has been dedicated to educational and environmental protection. Question: Most important, we should bring "the people” closer to the judicial process by encouraging and electing candidates for judge from their own ranks. Too often, the gulf between the judiciary and the cit- izenry appears to be unapproachable. While I support the popularly elected judiciary, I also believe in term limi- tations for judges with no provision for retention. This would limit polit- ical influences while retaining a role for the people in the selection of judges. WILLIAM J. ATKINSON Langhorne D.O.B.: 8/26/47 Qualifications: Commissioner, Workmen's Comp. Appeal Bd. since 1988. Fair, honest, hard working; protecting rights of working men and women. 20 years of public service in labor relations, education and governmental law, as a lawyer, teacher and consultant. PA native. Dickinson Coll. 1971. Dickinson Law Sch. 1974. Married, two daughters. Question: Improve programs for voter education about the courts and judicial candidates, including films etc., for schools and communities; provide access for candidates to pub- lic radio and television; candidate/ judicial forums with relaxed "gag rules"; finance reform; eliminate re- tention; apply same ethics to judges as for all public officials; require courts to publish annual reports on performance and financial audits; re- duce terms from 10 to 6 years; and establish non-lawyer citizen review boards. RALPH PRATT New Castle D.O.B.: 7/7/40 Qualifications: Baldwin- Wallace Coll.; B.S., Chemistry. Univ. of Pittsburgh; J.D. Law. Univ. of Pittsburgh; M.S. Health Law. Nat'l Judicial Coll., Univ., of Nevada - Rena; master of Judicial studies, expected 1993. Practice of Law 1972-86. Member, PA House of Representative 1975-86. Judge, Court of common Pleas, Lawrence County 1986-present. Question: a) merit selection of judges b) Limit president judges term to five years c) All president judges elected by peers d) Reform AOPC and duties, authority and qualification of State court Administrator e) Uniform computerization of all courts and related offices f) Merit in- crease in number of trial judges based on realistic caseload capabili- ties g) automatic judicial salary in- creases decoupled from legislature h) full funding of courts by state; elimi- nate local government financial obli- gations GERARD M. BIGLEY “Pittsburgh D.O.B.: 8/24/39 Qualifications: I have been a Trial Judge in Allegheny County for 16 years, serving in the civil, crimi- nal and family divisions. While rais- ing a family and working fulltime, I completed Duquesne Law Sch. in 1970, graduating first in my class. Also: U.S. Treasury agent, assist. District Attorney, Pittsburgh Police legal advisor. Question: As a sitting Trial Judge for 16 years, I have dealt first- hand with the problems facing our courts on a daily basis. If there is one singular problem to be addressed, it is the ever-increasing backlog of cases that clogs our system. In Allegheny County, we are consider- ing increasing the arbitration limits from $25,000 to $50,000. But most important, the judiciary must be strongly urged to both reach timely decisions and encourage conciliation between parties. REPUBLICAN . (Vote for one) SANDRA SCHULTZ NEWMAN Bala Cynwyd D.O.B.: 11/4/38 Qualifications: I was admitted to practice law in 1972. I was an assistant district attorney in Montgomery County. I am a senior partner in the law firm of Astor, Weiss & Newman. I received a law degree from Villanova Law Sch., master's degree from Temple Univ. and bachelor's degree from Drexel Univ. Question: I feel that to improve the administration of justice in PA, a jurist should aspire to be an intellec- tual scholar on the particular Court to which he or she is seeking to be elected. Also, a judge should be in- terested in what is good for the peo- ple of the Commonwealth. To do what is best for the people, the judge must be unbiased, fair, uncompro- mising and honest in the execution of justice. JUDGE OF THE LUZERNE COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS Term: 10 years (Vote for one) ‘Both candidates have ‘crossfiled on the Democratic and Republican tick- ats. Michael Conahan Age: 41 Education: Villanova Univ., Phila, PA, B.S. in Accounting; Temple Univ., Phila, PA, Juris Doctorate Degree Attorney and District J ustice for City of Hazleton i * 18 years as District Justice handling approximately 3,000 to 4,000 cases annually, being civil cases involving complicated contract disputes, land- lord/tenant actions, and negligence claims and criminal actions involving issuance of affidavits and com- plaints, conducting preliminary ar- raignments and preliminary hearings for all levels of offenses including homicide cases. Joseph Musto Age: 49 Education: King's College, cum laude; Dickinson School of Law Occupation: Judge Over twenty-four (24) years as a trial lawyer, including prosecutor of crim- inal cases and a wide variety of civil trials before Pennsylvania Trial and Appeals Courts as well as Federal Court. Have had extensive experi- ence in black lung and social security disability cases. Presently serving as a Common Pleas Judge with a full court schedule, including civil and criminal cases. Michael Conahan Joseph Musto COUNTY CONTROLLER The Controller gathers budget in- formation, prescribes accounting sys- tems to be used by all county offices, approves all bills, audits books of all county offices and makes financial reports at the end of the year. : Term: 4 years (Vote for one) Joseph S. Tirpak Age: 76 Education: High School; U.S. Civil Service Commission for Bookkeeping and Accounting for City-County Government Course of Training Occupation: Luzeme County Controller record as Controller shows I have saved millions of dollars for the tax- payers of Luzerne County. I also serve as Secretary of Luzerne County Retirement Board, which is fully _ funded and ranks as one of the best in the state. I have served 18 years as Luzeme County Controller, and prior to that, was a Luzeme County Budget Director. I feel my experi- ence and knowledge qualify me for this position. James E. Burns Age: 43 i B.A., History, Wilkes College; M.S., History Education, Wilkes College; Doctor of Arts (candidate), History, Camegie- Mellon Univ. Occupation: Businessman Training and Experience: I am currently serving in my third term on the Wyoming Valley West School Board. I have experience dealing with budgets in excess of 30 million dollars and also in cost cutting mea- sures. I believe that I can bring the type of fiscal responsibility we need to the Luzeme County Controller's Office. REPUBLICAN William J. Rowe, Jr. Age: 40 Education: Graduate - Wilkes College - B.A. in Economics; Attended East Stroudsburg St. College. Occupation: Self-employed/ Treasurer of West Pittston Borough M experiences as Treasurer of West Pittston Borough, in addition to leadership roles in many community activities (library trustee, Chaimman/ treasurer of Parks & Recreation Board), as well as my educational background have prepared me for the workings of the controllers office. My desire to bring progressive and positive change & improvement to our county is my incentive. Deborah A. Hargraves Age: 38 i B.A., Wilkes College, (Wilkes-Barre, PA); also, graduate work at Marywood College, Dunmore, PA Occupation: Real Estate and Insurance Agent and Manager; also, Financial Consultant Training and Experience: Candidate totally qualified to be County Controller. College gradu- ate. 17 years of diverse financial ex- perience; attended numerous financial and municipal training - seminars. Chose NOT to seek Executive Committee "endorsement"! Served on numerous boards and commis- sions; e.g., the Bear Creek Township Planning Commission for 4 years and 1 as Vice-Chairman. Volunteer firefighter & officer, 10 years; chaired various fund-raising activities. Last year, was an elected Delegate to the National Republican Convention in Houston, Texas. The Prothonotary is a clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, administer- ing the records of civil proceedings. Some additional duties include re- ceiving petitions in connection with roads and rights of way, processing naturalization papers, issuing pass- ports, and recording divorce proceed- ings. Term: 4 years (Vote for one) hl Eugene E. Duffy - unopposed Michael D. Daley - unopposed REGISTER OF WILLS The Register of Wills probates the wills of county residents, collects state inheritance taxes, and maintains records related to will, fiduciary ac- counts, and other miscellaneous records. Duties also include clerk of the Orphans Court. Term: 4 years (Vote for one) Dottie Stankovic Age: 51 Education: Marymount High School, Wilkes-Barre, PA; L.C.C.C. Computer Course Occupation: Out-Side Travel Agent, a promoter, host for Channel 44 W.V.ILA. TV "Pennsylvania Polka" Was employed by the Luzerne County Recreation Department for 9 years as a supervisor of the MH-MR program of the county. Served on the Governors Commission for Women, National Democratic Delegate for President Clinton. Also a board member for the Nanticoke Police Civil Service Commission, and a committee woman in the 8th ward in Nanticoke for many years. Louise A. Cookus Age: 51 Education: Graduated from Coughlin High School and Wilkes- Barre Business College and have taken additional courses at Luzemne County Community College and Wilkes University Occupation: Account Executive Training and Experience: For 24 years I have been employed in private industry. For the last five years I have been employed at Pride Health Care, Pittston, as an Account Executive in sales. Achievements: top award for excellence in dealing with companies and customers. I spent three years employed by a prominent attorney in Wilkes-Barre, performing various legal duties, in- cluding handling of wills. I also handled major company accounts at Blue Cross/Blue Shield for eight years. Lynn W. Muchler Age: 40 Education: BA Elementary Education - Wilkes College 1979; Certificate of Child Welfare (Core Requirements) - College Misericordia 1985; M.S. Education - Wilkes Univ., (currently enrolled) Occupation: Reading Teacher - Keystone Job Corps Center, Drums, PA; Councilwoman - Edwardsville Borough Council Working 20+ years as teacher, 2 years as caseworker, and serving 2 terms on Edwardsville Council has afforded me the supervisory qualifi- cations for this position. My duties as councilwoman include overseeing staff/budget for several departments. My education/employment back- ground require the utilization of ex- tensive documentation, and specifi- cally, as PA Deputy Constable, I gained experience in numerous areas of legal concems. Johanna Yendrick - unopposed JURY COMMISSIONER Term: 4 years (Vote for one) Daniel F. Blaine - unopposed Martha H. Reese - unopposed : My Before they graduate from hig Back in my day, a part-time job was more than enough to finance a higher education. Not any more. Today's college bound student could use a little help. That's where Franklin First comes in. Talk to us about the many ways to help get the money you'll need to pay for tuition, books, and other expenses. B® Home Equity Loan (fixed rate) B® Home Equity Credit Line (variable rate) Hm Personal Loan (fixed rate) ®m Guaranteed Student Loans (GSD) Bm Supplemental Loans for Independent Students (SLS) Hm Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) school see Franklin First ...and be confident you can help them through college. are grades. ® Uniform Gift to Minors Act See. aw You can start saving today with any of our various programs, and supplement it with a combination of special loans. But the important thing is to plan. Remember, it's never too late to start. See your local Franklin First office or call 821-7100 or 1-800-262-1210. With this many ways to fund college, all your child will have to worry about FRANKLIN FIRST Equal Opportunity Lender Subsidiary of Franklin First Financial Corp. Member Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers