Magisterial District judges are paid $88,290 a year, along with complete medical benefits, to hear "minor criminal offenses, traffic offenses, landlord and tenant matters and other civil actions where the amount claimed does not exceed $12,000.00." They must be 21, residents of the state and must have lived in the magisterial district for at lest one year before assuming office. Terms last for six years, and nothing prevents other employment, though that is becoming less common. They must be attorneys or certified by the Administrative Office of Pa. Courts. Though there's a movement afoot to require that all mini-judges have law degrees, I hope it never passes. A law degree is a nice thing to have, but nothing can replace the common sense wisdom I often see displayed by Magisterial District Judges like Barner
In this case, the two nonlawyers running are poor candidates. Andrew Tupone, a 911 dispatcher as well as some sort of alcohol agent for the PSP, became a little too well known to lawyers around the courthouse when he served as part of the Panto Parking Police. Some tell me they felt they were targeted, which is hardly the kind of conduct you'd want from a judge.
The other weak candidate, Bryan Altieri, has two college degrees nut has never held a job. He and his wife Leslie, a perennial candidate for state house, live in a home worth over $500,000. Last time I checked, they had made no mortgage payments in over four years. This appears to be irresponsible.
To top everything off, neither Tupone nor Altieri is certified by the Administrative Office of Pa. Courts.
The other three candidates - Bill Blake, Pat Broscius and Sandy McClure - are all prosecutors in John Morganelli's office. They all have the right temperament for the job, though Bill Blake has some conflicts of interest to resolve.
Blake and Broscius are both full-time prosecutors, meaning they spend forty hours or more every week, doing the people's business.But Sandy McClure, who is part-time, has more time to go out and knock on doors, and is apparently doing just that. From what I hear, she is well-regarded in her neighborhood. As quiet as she can sometimes be in a courtroom, she is more extroverted in small groups.
Some super Republican voters tells me they have already received three well-done fliers from McClure
I have no idea who is going to win this race, but McClure is spending the most money. This race won't be decided until November. My guess is that McCure will capture the democratic nod and that the Republican nomination will go to Pat Broscius or Bill Blake.
Bryan Altieri is blind. If elected, would all documents in his courtroom have to be printed in braille? Or would someone have to be paid to read things to him? What would that cost? Nothing against his disability...I'm sure his life isn't easy...but he's not the right man for the job for numerous reasons beyond eyesight or lack thereof.
ReplyDeleteSome super Republican voters tells me they have already received three well-done fliers from McClure
ReplyDeleteI got them. Democrat here.
"Well done" if you consider bragging about locking up low level drug offenders and seizing their property. When will these people end this ridiculous war on drugs? It's pointless and yet they don't get it.
Hwy, That may not get your vote, but it will work with most people. I don't know many who get elected as judge or DA by saying we need to legalize drugs.
ReplyDeleteBryan is blind, and so far as I know, would need special accommodations if elected. Most of these are fairly reasonable and inexpensive. If he is elected by the people, those accommodations will have to be made.
ReplyDeleteThe point about McClure's flyers is to appeal to voters on an anti-crime agenda. However, magistrates do not "fight crime". For the most part, their involvement, in larger criminal matters, is limited as you know Bernie. I find McClure's campaign to be purposefully disingenuous. Even if it were not that, touting a forfeiture from approximately a decade ago is not exactly a feat about which she should be bragging.
ReplyDeleteI could say several really good things about Pat Broscius, but one thing I will focus on here is that she is a terrific listener. She has focused on tough cases--child abuse prosecutions--and by choice, and she has been very successful. You don't get those results by tuning people out. She listens well to victims, other lawyers, police, and everyone involved in the system.
ReplyDeleteMcClure's campaign should surprise no one. This is why her husband would just be a Democratic version of John Brown if he runs for county executive. Disingenuous is the key word. As for him, lazy could be considered as well.
ReplyDeleteGod save us from Sandy McClure.
ReplyDeleteDon't magistrates have a responsibility to evaluate physical/visual evidence? I mean no disrespect. It's a fascinating topic, however.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen a SINGLE not 1, McClure sign anywhere in Bethlehem Township?!? If she is knocking on doors I think that is way better then any sign BTW but again, no signs of any kind?!?
ReplyDeleteI have not seen any signs and, for that reason, assumed she was not taking the race seriously. Then I heard about the mailers and door-to-door activity. I doube she could win the R nod bc her husband is to well known as a partisan Dem.But she could get the D nomination bc her husband is well known as a partisan Dem. All depends on who comes out to vote.
ReplyDelete"Don't magistrates have a responsibility to evaluate physical/visual evidence? I mean no disrespect. It's a fascinating topic, however."
ReplyDeleteThat's something to consider in deciding whether to vote for someone, but I would not vote against someone simply because he is handicapped in one way. If he cannot see, his other senses are more acute.
Arlo Guthrie had a song about Alice that included some blind justice.
ReplyDeleteIn all seriousness, I think Brian is a fine candidate. He's sharp, earned two degrees in spite of a pretty significant handicap. I'd imagine that a lot of perspective employers, despite everything about incorporating reasonable accommodations for his disability, I'm very willing to bet a lot of them see the extra work involved in accommodation and say they've found a better candidate and pass on someone like Bryan.
I understand why you write what you do, but Bryan is doing more for the political circuit as someone completely blind than many of us who are able-bodied, myself included. In this case, it's a bit harsh.
Matt, I do not consider Bryan's visual impairment disqualifying. I find he comes short in other areas like his finances, lack of employment and failure to pay a mortgage on a very nice home.
ReplyDeleteI am for blind justice.
ReplyDeletePat Broscius is a terrific public servant. Honest and fair minded to a fault. If we want a person that cares about what they do, works hard and will always do the right thing she is who gets elected.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous super voter.
Altieri runs for office hoping not to be elected.... he and his wife have found a legal loophole to avoid paying taxes on their home.
ReplyDeleteNot only that but he doesn't even pay attention to Bethlehem Township laws on property maintenance. He states that he is "dedicated to the law" and "possesses integrity" but from the looks of his house in Bethlehem Estates, he has no regard for the law or his neighbors. His property around his home is overgrown with weeds, ranging from 12" to 24"... and growing.
From the Bethlehem Township website... "the Townships ordinance is eight inches. Therefore yards shall be maintained and grass shall be cut on a regular basis."
He and his wife have NO regard for the law or health or his neighbors!!!