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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Constable Seeks Judgeship in Freemansburg, Bethlehem

Jon Whittington
Liz Romig is perhaps one of the most admired and respected magisterial district judges from Northampton County. She was much smarter than her brother, Jerry Seyfried, and managed to keep things together on the front lines of justice in a high-crime district that included Pembroke Village. Police officers and defendants both thought she was fair, and attorneys knew she would listen. When she was forced to step down after turning 70 (she tells me it was 40), her daughter Patricia Romig-Passaro stepped in to fill the void. Unfortunately, she was forced to resign. Although she sounds great, she is suffering from vascular dementia, and has been told she has only 5-10 years left.

Though Romig has stepped down, her husband, Jon B. Whittington, has announced his candidacy.

Whittington is known as a constable, but his real background is in the tool and dye industry. He worked there for 22 years, and this gives him a perspective on what it's like to be a hard-working blue collar worker.Beinmg a constable has given him an understanding on how the courts work.

He has volunteered as a Big Brother, has sponsored families at the New Bethany Ministries and participated on Christmas Day celebrations by serving them. He has also coached soccer for many years.

He tells me he decided to run because he thinks he can make a difference. He has a powerful ally behind him. They Seyfried family has been a force in Bethlehem since the '20s, when Floyd "Skip" Seyfried was active. His son Jerry went on to become NorCo Executive, and his daughter Liz and granddaughter Pat both distinguished themselves on the bench.

Jerry claims his cousin Amanda got her good looks from him.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Will be a nice race when he run's against Fred Lahovski.

Anonymous said...

He has a calm demeanor and is know to be fair. Good luck Jon Whittington, make your community proud!!!

Anonymous said...

Good luck Jon this town need someone like you. We are proud to have you. Good luck jon make a difference you got my vote and my family and friends votes

Anonymous said...

Keep it in the family!!

Anonymous said...

Not mentioned, but does he have the certification?

Anonymous said...

Enough with all this nepotism.

Anonymous said...

As a police officer, I have worked with this constable in the past. I also know he went to school and is certified. Only lawyers don't have to be certified. He is a nice guy and he has my vote.

Anonymous said...

Jon is always helping others. He shovels for his neighbors that need help without having to ask. He's a hard worker and always willing to lend a hand. Wish you a successful campaign.

Anonymous said...

As a constable, Jon Whittington performs his job with fairness and dignity. Having extensive knowledge of his community and it's constituents will not only help him make the "right decisions" but also make equitable ones. By knowing Jon on both a personal and professional level, I am confident that he will make an exceptional judge. Best wishes!

Anonymous said...

Yes he have it

Anonymous said...

Soo if they keep it in the family. That family did the best for this community and we need more like that. As long that I know them they wear fair to the people and to the police. So Jon Best wishes! You got my vote

Anonymous said...

Jon Best wishes!. Jon would be one of the best judge that this town needs Jon you got my vote we would love to have you as a judge. Thank you for running for judge. You got my vote and my family and friends also.

Anonymous said...

Neighbor's of the district, few facts not mentioned,the Seyfrieds and Romigs are Democrats, he is a registered Republican, although a Magisterial District Judge may run on both tickets, he moved to the district within the last 3yrs, previously from the Lancaster County area, became a constable under his wife's jurisdiction, then a county finance check shows her paying out fees to him for constable duties performed, questions arise? What ever happened? Question is he qualified to be a district judge in an area he just recently moved to? Ethics and politics, sad case of knowing someone to get your foot in the door, pure politics, Sad!

Anonymous said...

I can help you with some of those answers. Jon Whittington was a constable prior to moving to Bethlehem. He falls under the executive branch and not the Judicial Branch. His wife did ask for an ethic opinion prior to marrying him and they said that those ethics are for Judicial employees and does not apply to constables because they are the executive branch, elected officials and self employed. Therefore they did not violate any ethics. There is case law proving this and the ethics also says that it does not apply to constables and that it is meant for Judicial employees. He also worked for her prior to moving here along with several other constables from different counties to save on costs when defendants lived in different areas. Though he may be Republican a judge may NOT be political. He married into a strong Democratic family and that shows he is not prejudice to others views and knows his personal views may not be applied in the courtroom. The legislators have the control of fees for constables with the fee bill they created and they don't get paid unless they perform the service. The Common pleas Judges were grandfathered in because of the time frame these ethics went into affect and though he too was servicing the courts prior they were not given the same courtesy. We are suppose to be unified judicial government and I believe she was never given an opportunity to truly let the public know the real story. As of this day and in the past there are many constables related to Judges. They are truly honest and professional people. All I am asking that you give them the same opportunity and not judge them on allegations. I believe if you talk with him you may have a different opinion. Please keep an open mind and try not make a judgement until you hear all sides.