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Candidates for district judge seat 11-1-01 participate in a forum on Tuesday organized by the League of Women Voters and hosted at Wilkes University. From left are Tim Henry, Stephen Urban, Mike Smith, Don Winder, Christopher O’Donnell and Rick Cronauer. Absent was Jeff Thomas.
PETE G. WILCOX/THE TIMES LEADER
WILKES-BARRE – The seven men running for magisterial district judge in Wilkes-Barre all have reasons they want to serve in the seat once held by now-county Judge William Amesbury.
Six of those men, including a longtime bail bondsman and a current Luzerne County commissioner, aired those reasons Tuesday night at a League of Women Voters forum held at Wilkes University.
Those in attendance included bail bondsman Mike Smith, county Commissioner Stephen A. Urban, current public defender Christopher O’Donnell, city Councilman Rick Cronauer, city chief attorney Tim Henry and businessman Don Winder.
Jeff Thomas, an employee with the Wilkes-Barre Area School District, was not at Tuesday’s forum.
Each candidate was given a two-minute opening, a one-minute period to answer several questions, and a two-minute closing statement.
The event was moderated by League of Women Voters’ member attorney Ingrid Cronin.
Each candidate said his experience in his respective field has prepared him for the open spot, in hopes to restore trust and integrity to Luzerne County.
Urban said a district judge is the first line in the judicial system that people appear before, and Smith agreed.
Winder and Henry said magistrates have to wear many hats and use common sense to be an educator and advocate.
O’Donnell said he is a good fit for magistrate because of his background as a former assistant district attorney and current public defender, having to handle both civil and criminal cases.
Cronauer said he is the man for the job because he will make sure the law is obeyed.
Candidates were asked specific questions on how they would handle neighbor disputes and if they have experience in mediation among contractors and businesses.
Winder said he would have to determine who is being honest, while O’Donnell said he would urge neighbors to solve the problem themselves before coming to court.
Cronauer said that as a longtime contractor he has plenty of experience regarding mediations, while Urban said he had plenty of mediation experience, as well, citing the county’s recent reassessment.
Candidates were also asked how they would handle the ever-present drug problem and high crime rates in the city.
Smith said he would challenge young people to not do drugs, getting involved in the community through programs like Drug Abuse Resistance Education, while Henry said he could only apply the law appropriately to each case.
Each candidate said his experience in his respective field has prepared him for the open spot, in hopes to restore trust and integrity to Luzerne County.