President Judge Baratta Opposes New Magisterial Realignment

In a letter to Chief Justice Ron Castille, President Judge Steve Baratta stands by the plan already approved. But he still submits the Magisterial Realignment Plan proposed by a bare majority of Magisterial District Judges Association. "[M]y opinion is not infallible," he concedes. "It may be that the political concerns of our [District Judges] in avoiding an election contest between sitting District Judges should be the most important consideration in any redistricting plan."

Baratta criticizes the plan proposed by District Judges because "it sets irrational and unreasonable boundaries that are not convenient for the public and law enforcement." He argues that the consolidation of the Magisterial Districts in the northwestern corner of Northampton County is the only fair solution, even though it has the unfortunate side effect of requiring a run-off election between District Judges Robert Hawke and Diane Marakovits. "[A]ny plan that would avoid the election run-off could only be achieved at the expense of convenience, rationality and gerrymandering."

According to an informative story in The Express Times, the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts states it would be "unusual" to consider a second realignment plan. But Baratta's letter to Castille notes that the Chief Justice did agree to consider a revised plan.

Reporter Tom Shortell also reports that District Judge Jackie Taschner, which at least was the President of the Magisterial District Judges' Association, refused to provide a copy. That plan is a matter of public record, and was provided by the Court Administrator on Friday. You can review it here.

Here are some other documents I have obtained:

Letter from District Judge Jackie to PJ Baratta, indicating that magistrates adopted their own realignment plan.

Letter from Hanover Tp to PJ Baratta, suggesting district judge realignment is a gerrymander.

Letter from Bethlehem Tp Police Chief Dan Pancoast, objecting to the magisterial realignment because it threatens public safety.

Colonial Police Chief Roy Seiple notes District Judge Robert Hawke refused to provide copy of plan.

State Senator Lisa Boscola opposes elimination of Bethlehem Township magisterial district.

Letter From PJ Baratta to Chief Justice Castille, opposing the realignment plan in a rather clever way (He argues that maybe the Chief Justice thinks politics should trump the public interest).

Police Chiefs Pan District Judge Gerrymander

Bethlehem Tp Police Chief Pancoast during Nat'l Night Out

Bethlehem Township Police Chief Daniel G. Pancoast (his officers will be required to drive to Northampton or Nazareth):

"The Bethlehem Township Police Department is strongly opposed to any alteration of magisterial districts which results in the reduction of officer presence in our township and an increased expenditure of taxpayer dollars if the only benefit to be derived is that one magisterial office remains open."

Colonial Regional Police Department Chief Roy D. Seiple (his police department is housed in the same building as District Judge Narlesky):

"I contacted Judge Hawke who would not provide me with the particulars of the plan and was less than amicable in his response. I advised him regarding my department's position on this matter and he advised me that the decision was that of the Magistrates' Association and we had no say. ... Certainly a change of this magnitude should be subject to input from the Municipalities, Citizens and Police Departments that it affects."

Upper Nazareth Police Chief Alan Siegfried (Part of Upper Nazareth will go to District Judge Hawke):

"[T]his type of change will greatly affect the citizens in our western district that may need to file landlord/tenant actions or T&A complaints. It will be difficult to explain why a citizen needs to travel 15 miles to file such actions. I believe this will deter citizens from pursuing legal actions based on the geographical location of the issuing authority."