WILLIAMSPORT

The big race in Williamsport is for city council, but it’s big only on the Republican side. Three Democratic candidates are on the ballot for City Council, so not much contest there. John Mussare, Mark Holt and Liz Miele will be on the ballot in November. Liz was one of the founding editors of The Guardian, but since our editorial policy (and non-profit status) prevents us from endorsing candidates, we won’t say another word on that race.

On the Republican side, five candidates are in the race. (What’s happening with Lycoming County Republicans? They used to avoid internal battles and primary races, but now it’s the Democrats who seem to have that kind of party discipline.) The race is between four men—a retired Army staff sergeant (Chris Bain), a hospital administrator (William Rischar), an incumbent council appointee (N. Clifford “Skip” Smith) and a former school board member (Randall Allison)—and one woman, a business owner (Bonnie Katz).

Smith and Rischar both, are Mayor Gabe Campana’s appointees; Smith to fill Campana’s old seat on Council and Rischar to serve on the city’s planning commission, where he can advocate for his employer, Susquehanna Health System, which has developed so many parking spaces in the middle of the city. Smith is tied to the business efforts of the mayor’s brother-in-law, George Hutchinson, in turning the former Calvary Methodist Church into apartments.

Bonnie Katz, owner of Le Chocolat store in downtown Williamsport, has been outspoken in the campaign to bring Kohl’s department store to the city. Will there be chocolate treats for the voters on election day? Her website, www.Votekatz.com, doesn’t promise that, but we can only hope. Katz reportedly was a Democrat until she decided to run for Council in the Republican primary. In past years, the Republican primary has been the real contest, but with a Democratic majority in voter registration, this year may be a turning point. It all depends on whether Democrats can get their new voters out in November.

Christopher R. Bain is a newcomer as a candidate, but he helped run county Republican chair Jeff Stroehman’s race for Congress (PA-5) last year. He is an Iraqi war veteran who was severely wounded in a 2004 ambush. His injuries left him disabled but also inspired him to become active in the national campaign to secure better medical care and services for injured veterans and their families.

BEYOND THE CITY

Outside of the city, Republicans still have pretty much of a lock on Lycoming County municipalities. In most of the townships and boroughs, only Republican voters will see names on the ballot in the primary, and in most cases, there’s no contest. The prize for lack of choice goes to Montgomery, where no one from either party is on the ballot for mayor, and four Republicans are in a heated race (not) for four borough council seats. There’s more choice in Loyalsock Township, where five Republicans are vying for two supervisor seats. No Democrat is on the ballot.

A few contests have only Democratic candidates on the ballot—the races for township supervisor in Bastress, Brown and Washington Townships, and for mayor and council in Salladasburg. But it’s hard to imagine, in those Republican-dominated areas, that there won’t be a Republican who gets enough write-in votes to earn a place on the ballot in November.

That’s something Democrats haven’t done much of in the past, run a write in campaign. In the last municipal election, Blossburg saw a borough council seat won in the general election by a successful write-in campaign on both the Republican and Democratic sides. There are plenty of opportunities for write-in campaigns in the May 19 election. There are no Democrats on the ballot for these slots, among others:

Mayor: Duboistown, Montgomery, Montoursville, Muncy, Picture Rocks

Borough Council: Duboistown, Jersey Shore 2nd ward, Montgomery, Montoursville 1st and 3rd ward, Muncy, Picture Rocks, South Williamsport 2nd ward.

Township supervisors: Armstrong, Eldred, Loyalsock, Mifflin, Muncy Creek, Pine Creek, Upper Fairfield, Watson—and more.

UNION COUNTY

There’s a lot of action on the Republican side in Union County. One of the Republican county commissioners resigned, and the county Republican Committee needs to recommend three people and a judge will make the final selection. Meanwhile, the committee voted a couple weeks ago to formally censure Arlen Specter for having supported the stimulus bill. (Well, apparently he was listening.) Then last week they voted to endorse Pat Toomey for U.S. Senate. That seems like a done deal now.

Several Democrats are running for local offices, and all but one of them is an incumbent. The newcomer is Tom Zorn, a newcomer running for East Buffalo Township supervisor. The big local race is for judge of the two county judicial district that includes Union and Snyder. The three candidates are Mike Sholley (currently Snyder County District Attorney), Marty Wilson (Lewisburg attorney) and Brian Kerstetter (another Lewisburg attorney). All three are registered Republicans, though they’ve cross-filed to be on the ballot on the Democratic side as well.

There’s also an open sheriff’s race. The former sheriff-for-life died unexpectedly last year. There are three Republicans vying for the job and no Democrats.

Congressman Chris Carney and Governor Rendell were in Selinsgrove recently to announce that they’ve found $9 million in funding to bring the Route 15 bypass project out of hibernation. This is the long-awaited plan to widen Route 15, bypass the business strip in Selinsgrove, and cross the Susquehanna just below Winfield to meet Route 147 on the east side of the river. (The bridge site is close to where State Representative Russ Fairchild (R) has his office and family construction business, so the increased visibility should be quite a boon for him.)

Local news media didn’t mention where the money came from, but one source seems to be the Appalachia Regional Commission (ARC), which has the power to designate certain stretches of highway as high priority and thus tap a special pot of federal money. But the deal is that Pennsylvania can only designate a set number of total miles of highway for ARC funding. It’s a zero-sum game, and some other district is going to have to lose an equal number of ARC-designated miles in order for Carney’s district to gain. Rumor is that some ARC mileage may be yanked from Glenn Thompson’s district (PA 5—Centre County and north and west to Erie) and given to Carney’s district for the bypass. This may have some connection to the fact that Carney voted for Obama’s stimulus plan and Thompson, like every other Republican Congressman, voted against.

In any case, the Governor’s announcement has helped get Carney off the schnide with local chambers of commerce, for whom the bypass has been the holy grail for a couple of decades. The hope is that with Carney on the House Transportation Committee, and the highway re-authorization bill due for renewal this year (which happens only once every five years or so), all the stars may finally be aligning to get the money to get the bypass built. After all, it’s only been on the drawing boards for thirty years. It really does seem to be a sensible project, since much of the rest of the road has been upgraded to a four-lane highway in recent years, and completing the bypass could finally make Route 15 a useful north-south trans corridor through the middle of the state, and should be a very good thing for Williamsport, putting it at the intersection of three major highways: I-80, I-99 and Rte. 15.

TIOGA COUNTY

Most of the interest in Tioga County seems to be in the Republican primary for sheriff (as usual in the Northern Tier, it’s all decided in the Republican primary). The only statewide candidate from the region is Sally Mundy, Republican for Superior Court, who lives in Tioga Borough and works for the Philadelphia-based law firm McEldrew & Fullam. She’ll win the primary (it’s uncontested on the Republican side), but what chance does a Northern Tier Republican have statewide with a half-million Democratic registration advantage?

Joe Scarnati–Republican state senator for Tioga County and much of the Northern Tier and now lieutenant governor–was in Wellsboro April 17 for his first town hall meeting. The tea-baggers were out in force.





JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT: The Pennsylvania Supreme Court is the highest judicial authority in the Commonwealth. In addition to being the final court of appeals, it serves as administrator of the unified court system and is responsible for ensuring that all Pennsylvania courts perform their duties properly. The Court hears decisions of the Superior and Commonwealth Courts and in certain cases, including those involving the death penalty, from the Courts of Common Pleas. It may also assume jurisdiction over any case pending before a lower court that involves an issue of immediate public importance. There are seven Supreme Court justices, the Chief Justice being the one having the longest continuous service on the Court.

Term: 10 years; Salary: $186,450 (Vote for one)



DEMOCRATIC

Jack Panella, Bethlehem

D.O.B: 05/04/1955

Education: 1977, St. John’s University, B.S.; 1980, Columbus School of Law, CUA, J.D.

Occupation: Superior Court

Judge Qualifications: County Solicitor, 4 years; Court of Common Pleas Judge, 12 years; Superior Court Judge, 5 years; Chair, Judicial Auditing Agency, 4years; Administrative-Judge, WiretapApplications, 5years; President, Court of Judicial Discipline, 1 year.



REPUBLICAN

Joan Orie Melvin, Pittsburgh

D.O.B: 04/06/1956

Education: 1978, Notre Dame, B.A. 1981, Duquesne Law, J.D.

Occupation: Superior Court Judge

Qualifications: 23 years judicial experience; Superior Court Judge, 11 years, 8000 appeals; Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge, 7 ½ years,(served Criminal, Family, Civil Divisions); Chief Magistrate, Pittsburgh Municipal Courts, 5 years, established Pennsylvania’s first Domestic Violence Court; private practice, corporate counsel.

Paul P. Panepinto, Philadelphia

D.O.B: 6/25/1949

Education: 1971, Villanova University, B.A. 1979, Villanova University, M.A. 1976, Widener University, J.D.

Occupation: Common Pleas Judge

Qualifications: Administrative Judge, appointed by Supreme Court, 4 years; Trustee, National Council of Juvenile Court & Family Judges, 6 years; Practicing Attorney, 13 years; Probation Officer & Juvenile Master, 6 years

Cheryl Lynn Allen, Allison Park

D.O.B: 12/16/1947

Education: 1969, Pennsylvania State University, B.S. 1971-1972, Pittsburgh University Graduate School of Education no degree due to law school matriculation 1975, Pittsburgh University School of Law, J.D.

Occupation: Superior Court Judge

Qualifications: My entire career is distinguished by a commitment to public service. I was a city school teacher for 3 years, and then worked as an attorney for Neighborhood Legal Services, a solicitor with the Allegheny County Law Dept, and individually private civil practice. Thereafter, I was a trial judge for nearly 18 years and received much recognition for my work on behalf of children and families. Since January of 2008, I have served as an appellate judge in the Superior Court of PA.





JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT: The Pennsylvania Superior Court is one of two intermediate appellate courts. It hears all criminal and civil appeals from the Courts of Common Pleas except for death penalty cases and those that are specifically assigned to the Commonwealth Court. The Court has fifteen judges, with the President Judge elected by the members. Judges of the Superior Court must be lawyers and must reside in Pennsylvania for at least a year before their election and for as long as they continue in office.

Term: 10 years; Salary: $175,923

(Vote for not more than three)



DEMOCRATIC

Paula Patrick, Philadelphia

D.O.B: 01/28/1960

Education: 1990, Bennett College, B.A. Political Science; 1993, Thurgood Marshall School of Law @ Texas Southern University, J.D.

Occupation: Common Pleas Judge

Qualifications: Common Pleas Court Judge for 6 years; Solo Practitioner as a general litigating trial attorney for almost 10 years; former adjunct professor at LaSalle University in the Criminal Justice Dept.

Tom Munley, Scranton

D.O.B: None Given

Education: East Stroudsburg University. B.A., Loyola University, J.D.

Occupation: Common Pleas Judge

Qualifications: Over 30 years as a criminal defense trial attorney. Former school teacher at the Jessup High School District (now Valley View School District). U.S. Army. infantry soldier, served one year in Vietnam and was awarded the Bronze Star, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry and Combat Infantry Badge.

Anne E. Lazarus, Philadelphia

D.O.B: 11/12/1952

Education: 1972, SUNY at Stony Brook, B.A. 1976, Temple University School of Law, J.D. 1986, Temple University School of Law, L.L.M.

Occupation: Common Pleas Judge

Qualifications: Court of Common Pleas, 18 years; Attorney, 11 years; Ethics Committee, Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges, Chair; First-ever recipient, PA Bar Association’s Judicial Pro Bono Award.

John Younge, Philadelphia

D.O.B: 07/19/1955

Education: 1977, Boston University, B.A. 1981, Howard University School of Law, J.D.

Occupation: Common Pleas Judge – Philadelphia County

Qualifications: Common Pleas Court judge, civil and criminal, 14 years; former president, Pennsylvania Conference of Trial Judges; past president, Clifford Scott Green Judicial Council; board chair, The Consortium, a mental health agency; board chair, New Life Credit Union.

Kevin Francis McCarthy, Pittsburgh

D.O.B: 08/14/1961

Education: 1983, University of Pittsburgh, B.A.; 1986, University of Pittsburgh School of Law, J.D.

Occupation: Assistant District Attorney, Allegheny County

Qualifications: Law Clerk, James Rowley, J., Superior Court of Pennsylvania, 2 years Law Clerk, Fred Adams, and William Frank, J.J., Court of Common Pleas, Fayette County, Allegheny County District Attorney, Appellate Unit 18 years

Robert J Colville, Pittsburgh

D.O.B: 08/03/1965

Education: 1989, Penn State, B.A. 1992, Duquesne University

Occupation: Common Pleas Court Judge

Qualifications: Trial Judge, 10 years; Juvenile Court Procedural Rules Committee, 7 years; Officer and President of PA Conference of State Trial Judges, 6 years; Trial Lawyer, 7 years; Law Clerk, PA Supreme Court, 2 years; Legislative Aide, Washington DC <1 year; Public Defender Intern, 2 years; Union Laborer, 7 years.



REPUBLICAN

Judy Olson, Wexford

D.O.B: 10/19/1957

Education: 1979, St. Francis College, B.A. 1982, Duquesne University School of Law, J.D.

Occupation: Common Pleas Court Judge

Qualifications: Trial and appellate lawyer, 27 years; Chairman, Antitrust Group and Partner-in-Charge of Litigation (Pgh. Office), Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis LLP, “Highly Recommended” by PA Bar Association Sallie Mundy, Tioga

D.O.B: 06/29/1962

Education: 1984, Washington and Jefferson College, B.A. 1987, University of Pittsburgh School of Law, J.D.

Occupation: Attorney

Qualifications: I am a litigator with extensive experience in defending civil suits brought against doctors and nurses accused of malpractice as well as in the representation of catastrophically injured individuals as claimants. I have also practiced criminal law as a volunteer Public Defender. I am honest, impartial and industrious.

Temp Smith, Pittsburgh

D.O.B: 05/20/1952

Education: 1974, Washington & Lee University, B.A. (English); 1977, University of Pittsburgh School of Law, J.D.

Occupation: Attorney

Qualifications: Extensive experience briefing and arguing appellate cases on a wide variety of issues; more than 31 years of legal practice in diverse areas of law; ratings of Recommended from PA Bar Association and Highly Recommended from Allegheny County Bar Association.





JUDGE OF THE COMMONWEALTH COURT: The Commonwealth Court is one of Pennsylvania’s two statewide intermediate appellate courts. Its jurisdiction generally is limited to legal matters involving state and local government and regulatory agencies. Litigation typically focuses on such subjects as banking, insurance and utility regulation and laws affecting taxation, land use, elections, labor practices and workers compensation. Commonwealth Court also acts as a court of original jurisdiction, or a trial court, when lawsuits are filed by or against the Commonwealth. The Court has nine judges, with the President Judge chosen by its members. The court generally decides cases in three-judge panels and sits in Philadelphia, Harrisburg and Pittsburgh.

Term: 10 years; Salary: $175, 923

(Vote for not more than 2)



DEMOCRATIC

Linda Judson, Pittsburgh

D.O.B: None Given

Education:1979, St. Francis General Hospital, Alvernia School of Practical Nursing, L.P.N. 1986, University of Pittsburgh, B.A. (cum laude); 1990, Duquesne University School of Law, J.D.

Occupation: Attorney

Qualifications: Attorney 20 years practice in matters that come before Commonwealth Court: 1991, Clerk for Commonwealth Court, Honorable Bernard McGinley; 1991-93, Technical Specialist (as an attorney), Marsh & McLennan Insurance regulation, risk management, regulatory compliance including OSHA & workplace safety matters.

Barbara Ernsberger, Pittsburgh

D.O.B: 08/16/1951

Education: 1973, University of Pittsburgh, B.A., cum laude 1976; Duquesne University School of Law, J.D.

Occupation: Attorney and Partner, Behrend and Ernsberger, PC

Qualifications: Attorney, 32 years, Community Advisory Board, 6 years; Commissioner City of Pittsburgh Department of Planning, 4 years; Chair of City Pittsburgh Democratic Committee of (32) wards, 7 years; Trustee, Shady-side Presbyterian Church Nursery School, 5 years; Pittsburgh City Council, Woman of the Year 2002.

Jimmy Lynn, Philadelphia

D.O.B: 10/15/1947

Education: 1970, LaSalle University, B.A. 1973, Loyola University, J.D.

Occupation: Common Pleas Judge

Qualifications: 18 years as a Trial Judge – almost all court divisions; Prosecutor, 3 years; 15 years private practice; Recommended by PA Bar Association. Extensive lifelong record of service.

Stephen G Pollock, Huntingdon Valley

D.O.B: 05/10/1951

Education: 1972, Muhlenberg College, A.B. 1975, Temple University School of Law, J.D.

Occupation: Attorney

Qualifications: Member, Pennsylvania State Planning Board, 5 years; Member & Chair, Lower Moreland Twp Planning Commission, 18 years; Member & President, Huntingdon Valley Library Board, 8 years; Chair, Real Property Section, Philadelphia Bar Association, 1 year.

Michael D Sherman, Mount Lebanon

D.O.B.: None Given

Education: BA 1979, Rutgers College Juris Doctorate 1983, Duquesne University School of Law

Occupation: Attorney over 25 years representing individuals, partnerships, and corporations in workers’ compensation and related matters. Board of Directors, Mt Lebanon Extended Daycare Program. Advisory Board, Larson’s National Workers Compensation Law Center 2009 Pennsylvania Super Lawyer by Philadelphia Magazine and Law & Politics Inc. A-V peer rating Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory.

Daniel K Bricmont, Pittsburgh

D.O.B: 10/2/1964

Education: 1987, University of Pittsburgh, B.S. 1990, University of Pittsburgh School of Law, J.D. cum laude

Occupation: Attorney

Qualifications: 19 years experience in plaintiff personal injury practice focusing on representing injured workers in Social Security Disability, Workers’ Compensation and occasionally Unemployment Compensation matters. Mayor of Avalon elected 1993 to 2005. Performed duties of a Mayor in a Borough (population approximately 5,200) in Allegheny County.



REPUBLICAN

Al Frioni, Pittsburgh

D.O.B: 02/25/1963

Education: 1985, University of Pittsburgh, B.A. 1988, University of Pittsburgh School of Law, J.D.

Occupation: Attorney

Qualifications: Administrative Appeals Judge – Commissioner, Pennsylvania Workers Compensation Appeal Board, 12 ½ years, resigned February 2009. In-house counsel Travelers Insurance, Staff Assistant to Senator Heinz, Attorney for 20 years.

Patricia A McCullough, Pittsburgh

D.O.B: 11/15/1956

Education: 1978, University of Pittsburgh, B.A. 1980, University Strasbourg 1981, University of Pittsburgh School of Law, J.D.

Occupation: Attorney

Qualifications: Served as Judge, Allegheny County Court Common Pleas; Attorney (28 years) private/corporate practice; Executive Director Catholic Charities; member/chair Allegheny County Board of Property Appeals; Adjunct faculty member; state/local committeewoman; community volunteer.

Kevin Brobson, Harrisburg

D.O.B: 11/26/1970

Education: Lycoming College, B.A. Widener University, J.D. (2nd in Class)

Occupation: Attorney

Qualifications: Broad-based Commonwealth Court practice; Recommended by PA Bar Association; Middle Paxton Twp. Planning Commission; American Inns of Court; Commonwealth Court Historical Society; Best Lawyers in America; Dauphin County Bar and PA Bar Pro Bono Award Winner; Married, father of three.





LYCOMING COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS: The Courts of Common Pleas are the trial courts of Pennsylvania. Major civil and criminal cases are heard in these courts. Judges also decide cases involving adoption, divorce, child custody, abuse, juvenile delinquency, estates, guardianship, charitable organizations and many other matters.

Term: 10-years Salary: $157,441

(vote for two)



REPUBLICAN

Joy McCoy, Lycoming Twp.

Education: Elmira College, B.A., 1993 Franklin Pierce Law School, New Hampshire., J.D.

Occupation: Attorney (Associate, McNerney, Page, Vanderlin & Hall)

Qualifications: 1996 graduate of Leadership Lycoming. Member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, Family Law Division and the Lycoming Law Association. 2002 recipient of the Lycoming Law Association’s Equal Access to Justice Award. Solicitor for East Chillisquaque Township. General law practice with a primary focus on personal injury defense and family law, Scott T. Williams, Loyalsock Twp.

Education: 1977 Indiana University of Pennsylvania, B.S., 1980 University of Pittsburgh, J.D.

Occupation: Attorney (Partner, Perciballi, and Williams)

Qualifications: civil, business and criminal law practice, Loyalsock Township School Board member, coached Little League Baseball and former member YMCA board of directors

Joseph F. Orso III, Williamsport

Education: 1984 Penn State Univ., B.A., 1987 Dickinson School of Law, J.D.

Occupation: Attorney (Casale and Bonner)

Qualifications: general law practice specializing in trial litigation, solicitor for the Borough of South Williamsport, a member of the Lycoming Law Association, Pennsylvania Bar Association, National Rifle Association, Brandon Little League Association, the Young Men’s Republican Club and the Williamsport Kiwanis Club, high school and college football official.



DEMOCRATIC

Marc F. Lovecchio, Williamsport

Education: 1980 Princeton Univ., B.A., 1984 University of Pittsburgh School of Law, J.D.

Occupation: attorney (managing partner of Campana, Lovecchio, and Morrone)

Qualifications: 25 year law practice, court-appointed master of the county Underage Drinking Court, court-appointed mediator for the U.S. Middle District, coaches girl’s varsity soccer team at Williamsport Area High School, president Balls Mills Soccer Club.