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| David Tidd |
They used to be called Justices of the Peace, and many of them did a great job preserving that peace over the years. In his 36 years on the front lines of our justice system, John Gombosi used common sense and good humor to keep South Bethlehem from breaking out into riots. I call them mini judges, but our regular judges will be the first to tell you how important they are.
Last week, I told you about a disputed magisterial contest in Bethlehem Township, in which five people are in contention for a job that pays $88,000 a year.
There's another magisterial race in Hellertown and Lower Saucon Tp. Magisterial District Judge David Tidd has two opponents. One is Attorney Amanda Kurecian, a divorce attorney with her own practice in Allentown. The other is David Repyneck, a former probation officer who served in the National Guard.
He is unrelated to former Magisterial District Judge Diane Repyneck. From what I hear at the courthouse, Repyneck is running a fairly negative campaign, but strangely will be a no-show at a candidates' night to be hosted by the League of Women Voters on Tuesday, May 12th, 2015 at 7pm, at the Hellertown Area Library, located at 409 Constitution Ave., Hellertown, PA 18055.
I will find out more about each candidate and report to you.
19 comments:
Please be advised and please correct your blog concerning David Repyneck'a relationship to the former District Magistrate Diane Repyneck. They are 2nd cousins. The negative campaigning is coming from the other David.
Isn't the magistrate a full time job and the time shouldn't be shared being an attorney, a real estate agent or a snow blower salesperson.
Wow! Second cousins! Stop the presses! Please tell me why you won't appear at the candidates' night.
The Repynecks's have a very long history serving the community. William Repyneck, David's great uncle, was the Chief of Police for Lower Saucon Township from the late 1950 to the late 1970's, Edward Repyneck, David's 2nd cousin, served as a Lower Saucon Police Officer/Bethlehem Police Officer and retired after 25 years service. He is currently a Northampton County Deputy Sherriff. Louis J. Repyneck, David's father, served as a Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officer for the Pennsylvania Game Commission for 25 years. Diane Repyneck, David's 2nd cousin, served 3 terms as the District Magistrate for the Hellertown Lower Saucon area. David, himself, served as a Probation Office in Lehigh County for nearly 10 years before going full time into the Pennsylvania National Guard. Submitted by Louis J. Repyneck. Thank you for your time.
And you are playing on that tenuous at best connection. Why are you skipping the debate? Afraid of being in a situation where you actually have to accept responsibility?
"Isn't the magistrate a full time job and the time shouldn't be shared being an attorney, a real estate agent or a snow blower salesperson."
It's not. Shouldn't a person who wants to demonstrate he has the right temperament identify himself and take responsibility for his slurs? It's very obvious who you arem, and you have just established why no one should vote for you.
And where's your courage? Shouldn't you be at the candidates' night?
He's trying to win a campaign off a last name and the hard work that other's have done in their family. There are similar relatives that have done the same thing and got elected.
I am not the running canidate but I will be there at the debate with questions and concerns.
One of your questions and concerns should be where Repyneck is hiding.
It is sad that the pay and benefits of the District Magistrates has become so good. There was a time when ordinary citizens would run because lawyers didn't feel it was worth their time. As the pay and benefits got much better and every third person became a lawyer, lawyers jumped on the bandwagon. They see this as a great way to earn money, get benefits for the family and still have a private practice.
I wonder how many of these attorneys now playing mini judge have viable practices without these well paying gigs.
Who are "all these attorneys" you speak of? Isn't there only one district judge in the Lehigh Valley who still has a private practice?
So basically the "attorney" District Judges are attorneys' who didn't have a very good private practice.
Is that your point?
no my point was if you want to run for office first make sure any case agaisnt you is shredded.
Many MDJ's are still attorney's...
Manwaring..unknown if still practicing
Narlesky..unknown if still practicing
Yetter...still practicing
Taschner....unknown if still practicing
Tidd...still practicing
Grifo...still practicing
Narlesky and Taschner do not maintain private offices. They are too busy.
I have recently done some computer work for a family here in Hellertown. Their children are in high school, and one class is learning about voting, from the presidential election to local government. One child in class is following the local district magistrate election and mentioned this blog. Although I don’t like to talk politics in public, I feel someone needs to speak out. We live in a great community. I remember a time when a political race was about which person was better qualified for the position. Where there was a public meeting and people came to ask questions of the candidates. Although the Internet is a great way to communicate with others, it also allows people to remain “anonymous” and say things they wouldn’t dare say in front of their children or neighbors. I am a firm believer in the First Amendment of our Constitution. We all have the freedom of speech, but some people posting here just don’t have any common sense. As I read through this blog, I am appalled at the language and assumptions mentioned here. One can only wonder what happened to the integrity of some of those who contribute to this forum. It is time to grow up and stop the childish name calling. Is this what we teach our children? What will the world be like in another 20 or 30 years from now if we can’t act like adults? Why can’t everyone just give these candidates a chance to explain to us first hand, of what they are accused of. Seems to me a lot of “hear say”. What ever happened to getting to the facts? Slander back and forth is No way to teach our children, or grandchildren how to debate an election! Maybe this blog should be set up in such a way that no one can remain “anonymous”, and we start showing who we really are. I am proud to live and work in this community, and I think it’s a shame that we have a few people who seem to want to drag this forum down to their level. We have all made mistakes in this life and none of us will ever be perfect. Remember the phrase “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone”? Lot of stone throwing here. And another “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you”. No, I’m not trying to sell religion, but just to make a point. We don’t have to use slanderous words. Let’s show our children we can all be kind and considerate of others. Show them the positive side of debate, with honesty and integrity. Learn everything you can from each candidate by calling, emailing, or talking to them. Then and Only then can you make the wisest decision, and vote for the best person. Don’t forget ... You MUST VOTE!
Ps. For all students in high school who read this blog, I apologize for some of the statements made here by a few of my peers. Just remember, most of us are honest and sincere.
Mr. Wargo,
I nevcer post anonymously but I will support the right of others to do so. This great nation was founded on people who write anonymously or pseudonymously. Tom Paiune's Common Sense is just one example. Benjamin Franklin wrote anonymously. My problem with anonymity is when it is used as a shield to launch vicious personal attacks.
In this case, we have three people running to be a magisterial distict judge. Two are willing to show up and face the public. One is not.
This democracy is founbded on free speech. We believe in the rough-and-tumble of electoral politics. If someone goes topo far, I can and will delete. But I have deleted practicvally nothing on this series of blogs.
I commend the students for spending their time on this race. I wish more people like you and I did.
Mr. O’Hare
I am familiar with Tom Paiune's Common Sense, and Benjamin Franklin’s writings. Don’t forget, they did not need to use profanity to get their point across. Most of Tom Paiune’s Common Sense was more about history and general groups of people, not about specific people. What I am saying it there is no need for the profanity. Makes for a soap opera. As for anonymity, I guess those who want to remain anonymous are just too afraid to let the community know who they are, and would probably be ashamed to tell their friends family, or children who they are. I don’t take them too serious. Most don’t even know the facts. Most reputable bloggers don’t allow profanity on a public forum, but as you say, you have control to delete post that you don’t see fit, so if you like the profanity, I guess you win. Oh, and about Common sense, I think I covered that in my earlier statement. Please go back and read every word of every sentence, line for line, apply it to your own life and those around you and let me know if you agree. If you would like to e-mail me, my address it tom@easternpa.net.
I just looked over this post and don't see a single instance of profanity o am sure there are a few in the other Repyneck posts, mostly directed at me.
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