News

January 5, 2010

In unanimous vote, Burke to lead bench

By Sheena Delazio sdelazio@timesleader.com
Staff Writer
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Luzerne County Judge Thomas Burke Jr. was elected in a unanimous vote to become the court’s next president judge.

The voting took place Monday afternoon shortly after Burke was sworn in to another 10 years on the bench after winning retention in November and the courts gained two new judges – Tina Polachek Gartley and William Amesbury.

“An enormous challenge lies ahead and I again pledge total commitment toward helping restore the citizen’s trust and confidence in the courts,” Burke said.

Burke, 62, of West Pittston, said he hopes to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, Chester Muroski, in taking over the reins as president judge. Muroski left the bench at the end of 2009, as he turned 70 -- the age at which a judge must retire -- and will now work as a county senior judge.

“It will take time, but I’m encouraged that all of my colleagues and the newly elected judges are as committed as I am to making that happen,” Burke said.

Burke received six votes from the county’s six judges -- Polachek Gartley, Amesbury, Burke, Hugh Mundy, David Lupas and Joseph Augello.

Burke was appointed to the bench in 1998 to fill the unexpired term of former county Judge Correale Stevens. He then won election in 1999.

Burke’s grandmother, Katherine Kilgallen Delaney, was a court stenographer for Orphan’s Court when the courthouse opened 100 years ago, while his father, Thomas F. Burke Sr., practiced law and participated in many trials between 1932 and 1972. Burke’s son, William, was recently inducted into the Wilkes-Barre Law and Library Association.

Burke said Monday that as a new calendar year starts, so does a new year at the courthouse, putting the past out of sight and mind.

“An awful lot of people (have) committed themselves to helping restore the citizens’ trust and confidence in all of our institutions,” he said.

Burke said as time progresses, he will decide on his hopes for Luzerne County court, and will continue with biweekly or monthly court en banc meetings – meetings with all judges – and where the new judges will serve.

He said he jokingly asked Muroski to “hand over his playbook” and continues to seek Muroski’s sage counsel, advice and contributions as a senior judge.

“He has made a commitment to work extensively to assist me through various responsibilities…and I appreciate that very much,” Burke said.

The past 11 months have been an “emotional roller coaster,” Burke said, and he is inspired by county residents retaining him and his colleagues voting him in as president judge.

“There’s a tall task ahead. It’s gonna take a collective effort. A team effort. There is no ‘I’ in team,” Burke said of leading the group of jurists and working together.

Sheena Delazio, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7235.

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