Meet the Candidates for Lackawanna County

Editor’s Note: On April 1, 2009, a letter was sent to all candidates running for municipal and school board seats in the North Pocono region of Lackawanna County. The following is a list of the responses received by the candidates.

Covington Township
John Brostoski
Position Sought:  Covington Township Supervisor
Previous public offices held (if any):  Chairman, Covington Recreation Committee
Educational background:  Grade School - Covington Consolidated, High School - Scranton Central, College - University of Scranton, B.S. Education
Career:  30 years, Pennsylvania State Police.  December 2005 - present, Substitute Teacher for North Pocono School District
Family:  Spouse - Janice, Son - John Brostoski, Jr. and wife Amy, Two Grandchildren - Elyse and Maeve Brostoski
Community/Civic Interests:  Lifetime member of the Covington Volunteer Fire Company, Active Member of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, including Religious Education Teacher for 7th grade students for 21 years.
Have you ever been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation?  No
Why did you decide to run for office?  I have called Covington Township my home for my entire life.  I have seen our community grow from a very small and quiet residential community into a region of vibrant growth and progress.  Covington Township now possesses several commercial centers in different areas of the township.  A huge industrial park operates in the southern part of the township and a new, beautiful high school will be opening its doors later this year.  These are all positive developments for Covington Township.  However, growth in the township brings with it a greater demand for certain services and direction that must come from the governing body of the township.
How do you feel you can make a difference for your constituents?  Throughout my entire life, if I perceived a need where I could be of assistance, I volunteered my time.  With so much activity now taking place in our township, I believe now is one of those times where I could offer some valuable assistance.  Through a lifetime of civic service to my church, the Covington Fire Company and local youth, these enjoyable experiences I have shared have also given me a valuable background in which to meet the needs of the township.  Furthermore, my thirty years in law enforcement, with a great deal of time spent in supervision and human resources, would be a great asset in carrying out the duties of a Covington Township Supervisor.  Therefore, because of these reasons, I have decided to seek the office of Supervisor of Covington Township.
Charles “Bucky” Lindner
Position sought:  Covington Township Supervisor
Previous Public Offices Held:  None
Educational Background:  None
Career:  Owner of Pocono Sanitation.  I have been in the recycling and sanitation business for over 50 years.
Family:  Married for over 40 years.  Four children.
Community/Civic Interests:  Member of North Pocono Bible Baptist Church
Have  you ever been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation?  No
Why did you decide to run for office?  I decided to run for the office of supervisor because I want to keep Covington Township on track and headed in the same positive direction.
How do you feel you can make a difference for your constituents?  Twelve years ago, I made the decision to run for  supervisor in Covington Township.  In the past twelve years, I have served on a board that transformed Covington Township from small rural community to the fastest growing commercial/residential community in the North Pocono area.  While increasing in population, this board has kept the housing development boom under control and retained the township’s rural character.  I was a member of the board that secured over $4 million in grants and land acquisitions over the past ten years.  During my tenure on the board, the township improved township equipment and buildings as well as adding parks and recreation areas to the community.  All of these accomplishments were done at no added tax increase to the Covington Township community.  I want to retain my position as Supervisor of Covington Township and continue working with the board.  Covington Township is a success story and I want to continue working to keep it going in the right direction.
Scott Van Fleet
Position sought:  Covington Township Supervisor
Previous public offices held (if any):  No
Education:  West Scranton Graduate 1981, Luzerne Community College - Culinary Arts
Career:  Owner Van Fleet’s Grove and Scott Van Fleet Painting
Family:  Wife - Jo Ann Van Fleet, Daughters - Cara and Casey Van Fleet, Stepson - Kelly Mullen, 2 Chocolate Labs - Molly and Bear
Community/Civic Interests:  Member of the Minisink Lions Club, active in Friendship House of Scranton
Have you ever been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation?  No
Why did you decide to run for office?  I decided to run for township supervisor after attending most, if not all, township meetings for the past two years.  I realized that the citizens of Covington Township needed a person that is a independent thinker, a person who puts the needs of the constituents first and is not afraid to flight for what is right.
How do you feel you can make a difference for your constituents?  I believe I can make a difference to my fellow constituents by attempting to make our township government more transparent.  I will try to put our tax and grant money to a better use.  I will listen to our citizens concerns and act on them and eliminate our history of selective enforcement of our ordinances and holding our employees and board members accountable for their actions.  And lastly, I have proven that I will always fight for what is right and just for all taxpayers of Covington Township.
William J. Wilson
Position sought:  Covington Township Supervisor
Previous public offices held (if any): Covington Township Supervisor
Education:  Mid Valley High School, class of 1974
Career:  School bus driver and food service worker
Family:  Wife- Carole, 5 children, 3 stepchildren, and 9 grandchildren with 1 more on the way.
Community/Civic Interests:  I am currently not a member of any civic or community organizations but I do support a number of local groups in their endeavors
Have you ever been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation?  I have never been convicted of a crime that would prevent me from holding public office.
Why did you decide to run for office?  I decided to run for a third term because I believe that our township government is regressing.  At a time when politics is becoming more transparent, Covington Township is becoming less transparent.  While the Right to Know laws are becoming increasingly important in governmental operations (remember transparency), it seems that certain Covington Township supervisors believe that the less the taxpayers know, the better.  It seems that greed and self-service has taken over for selflessness and community service.  I feel that the taxpayers need someone who will continue to expose these individual supervisors and their actions to the public.  I will not allow the vindictive and retaliatory actions to which I have been subjected, deter me.  They only serve to strengthen my resolve.
How do you feel you can make a difference for your constituents?  I think that I can make a difference over the next few years by continuing to expose the irresponsible, improper, unethical, and possibly illegal activities by individual members of our  board.  I believe that the township needs to follow the letter of the law instead of having our solicitor look for loopholes in it.  We should be adhering to the Second Class Township Code, the State Ethics Act, and the State Sunshine Act, all of which certain board members completely disregard.  We need to consider the advice of the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS) on all issues, not only when it is convenient for us.  We need to get back to the basics.  The first responsibility of the supervisors, according to the Pa. Township Supervisors Handbook, is the roads.  Take a look at our roads; to say most of them are terrible would be a gross understatement, yet we are borrowing $800,000 to build a pavilion, applied for another $304,000 grant for the pavilion, on top of the $100,000 the estate has obligated to the pavilion.  That’s a lot of money for a building that most taxpayers will never use or not be able to afford to use.  The worst part about borrowing the $800,000 is that the repayment of that debt is based on anticipated income, with no actual guarantee that the money will come from the source the board majority states, and in fact, it is more likely to come out of the taxpayers’ pockets than anywhere else.  We have road signs that are faded, bent, blocked, or completely missing, and have been this way for years, but we put up new cell phone enforcement signs.  Why not help our Fire Department more?  The Police Department?  They are the most visible aspects of the township.
Covington Township needs to take care of what it already has before it adds projects that require additional funding for upkeep.  We need to stop playing games with pet projects and do what is best for the township as a whole, not what is best for the legacy of a few individual supervisors.  We need to stop the selective enforcement of our township zoning laws.  They are applicable to all township residents, including members of the board, no exceptions.  Sadly, we need to adopt a code of ethics for our own board of supervisors.  Our equipment, supplies, and services are there for the betterment of the township as a whole, not to be used and abused by individual supervisors.  I will take a stand regarding these issues and more.  The questions the voters must ask themselves in this election is, “Do you want supervisors who will stand up and question these same actions?”  Thank you for the chance to answer these questions.  As always, I am available to all of the taxpayers of the township.  If you have any questions, please call me at 842-7975 at home or 499-0979 on my cell phone.  Please leave a message if I don’t answer, I will get back to you promptly.
Jo Ann Van Fleet
Position sought:  Tax Collector
Previous public offices held (if any):  None
Education:  Graduated Pennsylvania State University, Bachelor of Science Accounting/Business Logistics
Career:  Comptroller for Milso Industries for 21 years
Family:  Husband - Scott Van Fleet, Son - Kelly Mullen, Stepdaughters - Cara and Casey Van Fleet
Community/Civic Interests:  Active in Friendship House summer programs
Have you ever been convicted of a crime other than a traffic violation?  No
Why did you decide to run for office?  I would like to see all tax collecting practices to be held privately, not in a public office where other various township duties are being performed.
How do you feel you can make a difference for your constituents?  I believe that with all of my accounting education and professional experience I can perform the duties of tax collector with the utmost respect and confidentiality.  I will hold office hours at a non-public building so the citizens of Covington Township can feel more comfortable paying their taxes in person.  I will be more flexible with the hours of collection and I truly believe it is time for a change in Covington Township.
Kate Tierney
Position sought:  Tax Collector
Previous public offices held (if any):  I have held the position of Covington Township Real Estate Tax Collector since 1994
Education:  I am a high school graduate who has worked diligently to acquire and maintain secretarial, business management, and accounting skills.  I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to strengthen my skills through regular attendance at formal seminars, discussion groups and instructional meetings professionally developed by the Pennsylvania Association of Townships.  Over the years, I have attended many tax-related seminars and have successfully met the training and educational requirements for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s designation of Qualified Tax Collector
Career:  Covington Township Real Estate Tax Collector - 1994 to present and Covington Township Secretary/Treasurer 1987 to present
Family:  Two Children, Aaron and Alice.  I also have three grandchildren, Caleb, Benjamin and Julia
Community/Civic Interests:  I am a grateful and active member of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Moscow
Have you ever been convicted of a crime other than a traffic violation?  No
Why did you decide to run for office?  Nothing could be more satisfying than to meet and know the many wonderful people in our township.  It is my privilege to serve them.
How do you feel you can make a difference for your constituents?  Giving the tax payers an opportunity to ask questions and receive explanations face to face can be very beneficial to both parties.  I am always happy to share my accumulated knowledge and years of experience.  The convenience of tax collection at the Municipal Office provides a much-needed service to the tax payer.

Jefferson Township
Dave A. Harvey
Position Sought:  Supervisor
Previous public offices held (if any):  Supervisor
Educational Background:  Dental School Brook Medical in Dallas, Texas, Technician Certificate.
Career:  Owner of Valley View Dental Lab, Peckville
Family:  Wife - Sharon; two sons - David, wife Jessaka, and Bob
Community/Civic Interests:  I’m a Sewer Authority Board member for four years. 
Have you ever been convicted of a crime other than minor traffic violations?  No conviction of crime or minor traffic violations.
Why did you decide to run for office?  Top priority: sewer and road infrastructure.  Also, to help fire and ambulance equally, we need them both.
Paul “Jake” Thomas
Position Sought:  Supervisor
Previous public offices held (if any):  Zoning Officer, Jefferson Township
Educational background:  Bachelor of Science; 26 credits towards Masters Degree in Education
Career:  Currently - title abstractor, title insurance agent.  Previously taught Earth & Space Science
Family:  wife and 2 grown daughters; 4 grandchildren
Community/Civic Interests:  I belong to Jefferson Township Fire Co., Cortez VFW, East side Hose Co., Archbald; Autumn Valley Golden Retriever Rescue; Heartland Golden Retriever Rescue
Have you ever been convicted of a crime other than minor traffic violations?  No
Why did you decide to run for office?  Jefferson Township needs someone on our Board of Supervisors that is civic-minded and community oriented.  I will be the voice who is not afraid to speak for the “little guy”; the citizens, the Little League.  I’ll be the one who looks for every state or federal grant to ease the burden on our tax payers; to make sure our roads are in good condition and are maintained, especially in the winter months.  I will insist that the tax payers in Jefferson Township get their money’s worth.
Ceatana M. Keating, a.k.a. Tina Keating
Position sought: Tax Collector (Real Estate)
Previous public offices held (if any):  No response
Educational background:  Graduate of  Penn State and North Pocono
Career:  No response
Family:  husband, Charles (Chick); five children: Charles Jr. and his wife, Sandra; Christine Mizenko and her husband, Mike; Chad and his wife, Jennifer; Charlene and her fiancé, Jason Pearce; Corey; four grandchildren: Emily and Peter Keating and Joseph and Kyle Mizenko (when this goes to press I will have another grandchild!)
Community/Civic Interests:  Member of Mothers Against Drunk Drivers
Have you ever been convicted of a crime other than minor traffic violation?  Absolutely no criminal history
Why did you decide to run for office?  I am able to perform the duties of my position and still be available for my children and grandchildren since I work out of my home as most tax collectors do.
How do you feel you can make a difference for your constituents?  I enjoy meeting my constituents and helping them in any way I can.

North Pocono School Board
Joseph E. Cummings
Position Sought:  School Director - Region 1
Previous Public Offices Sought:  Current school director
Educational background:  South Scranton Catholic High School graduate, attended Luzerne County Community College and the University of Scranton
Career:  30 year veteran of The Scranton Times, worked as a sales associate for Mark Realty and Mericle Commercial Real Estate for the past 10 years
Family:  Wife, Marianne; children Joseph, Michael, Patrick and Caitlin.  Two grandchildren, Ryan and Morgan Cummings
Community/Civic Interests:  Kitchen volunteer for the St. Eulalia’s Church picnic; usher at St. Peter’s Cathedral; committee member for the Race for the Cure, Steamtown Marathon and Northeast Pennsylvania Nationwide Golf Classic
Have you ever been convicted of a crime other than minor traffic violations?  Never
Why did you decide to run for office?  In hopes of providing proper leadership for the district that makes it the outstanding asset that it is.
How do you feel you can make a difference for your constituents?  Acting on their behalf to be progressive and positive as we prepare our youth for future endeavors
Paul A. Kowalski Jr.
Position Sought: North Pocono School Board Director
Previous Public Offices Sought: None
Educational background: 1985 graduate of North Pocono High School; Bachelor of Arts from Lycoming College, 1989
Career: Senior Sales Specialist with TEVA Neuroscience since 2000; Previous positions with Novartis Pharmaceutical and XBAX
Family: Wife, Amy; Son, Corey
Community/Civic Interests: Member of St. Stanislaus Polish National Church, Scranton; Member of and volunteer for Greater Scranton YMCA; Volunteer/supporter for Adopt-a-Boxer Rescue
Have you ever been convicted of a crime other than minor traffic violations? No
Why did you decide to run for office? During the past decade, the reputation of the North Pocono School District has suffered greatly from board member disputes that appear to the general public as an inability of directors to act professionally and with dignity in the face of opposing opinions.  I would like to see the dignity of the district and the board restored. I would also like to see the needs of the students put first— ahead of directors’ personal agendas and long-standing grudges— so that the students are adequately prepared to face the opportunities and challenges of an ever-changing world.
How do you feel you can make a difference for your constituents? As a North Pocono alumnus, I know many district residents and am open to hearing their thoughts and opinions.  If elected, I will focus on the needs of current and future students as well as taxpayer concerns with the goal of striking a balance between the two. I also will make every effort to examine all sides of an issue. I will then vote based on all information presented to me, with respect for those whose opinions differ from my own.
Jerry Maglio
Position Sought:  School Director, Region 2
Previous public offices held (if any):    Currently serve on the Board of Supervisors in Spring Brook Township (1 of 5)
Educational background:     Graduated from Bishop O'Hara High School, Dunmore
Earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing from Marywood University 1991
Career:  District Business Manager for a leading pharmaceutical company
Family:  Wife: Maria Maglio, formerly Maria Dubranski (Married 14 years), Daughters:    Mariah, fifth grade at NPMS, Brianna, fourth grade at NPES, Angelina, 3 years old. Son: Damarco, Kindergarten at Academy Street
Community Civic Interests:  Commissioner of "A" Girls Biddy Basketball League, Coach "B" Girls Basketball Team, "B" girls All-Star Coach, North Pony League Baseball Assistant Coach, Representative of Spring Brook Township on the North Pocono Recreation Committee, Active member of St. Catherine's Activity Committee
Have you ever been convicted of a crime other than minor traffic violation?  Never been convicted of a crime
Why did you decide to run for office? My interests are my four children and the other 3,250 students in the North Pocono School District.  I feel as though my corporate experiences can help the school district move in a positive direction.  We have an incredible staff in the entire school district that includes teachers, administrators, maintenance, nursing, and all support staff. I want to make sure every one of our administrators has the resources they need which will allow their staff to provide our children with the best education possible.  The goal of our school district should be a place where every teacher in NEPA wants to teach because of the teaching atmosphere created by the administration.  If our teachers are given the necessary resources to effectively teach in the year 2009 and beyond, they will produce the best educated mechanics, truck drivers, teachers, doctors, and lawyers, as well as any and every profession our students decide to pursue as a career. 
How do you feel you can make a difference for your constituents?  The decisions I make as a board member affect every child, teacher, administrator and tax payer in the North Pocono School District.  The decisions I make every day at work are no different.  Whether as a board member or a district business manager for a leading pharmaceutical company, fiscal responsibility is at the forefront of every decision.  I have shown this responsibility not only at work, but also as a member of the Spring Brook Township Board of Supervisors. I initiated the refinancing of township debt which allowed our Chairman, Jack Flyte, to pave more township roads and to not raise taxes.
Not every decision I make will be liked by everyone in North Pocono; however, I promise the decisions I make are in the best interest of our children, our teachers, our administrators, and the tax payers of North Pocono.

Roaring Brook Township
Robert Farischon
Position Sought:  Supervisor
Previous public offices held (if any):  Auditor and Supervisor
Educational background:  Graduate, DeVry Institute of Technology
Career:  Manufacturing Engineer
Family:  Married to Mary Ann; son Chris, daughter, Amy
Community/Civic Interests:  Recycling and safety in the community
Have you ever been convicted of a crime other than minor traffic violations?  No
Why did you decide to run for office?  To keep Roaring Brook Township efficient and a safe place to live.
How do you feel you can make a difference for your constituents?  Dedication and experience.  My record shows I put in the time and dedication to make Roaring Brook Township a great place to live.
Jolene R. Lamberti
Position Sought: Tax Collector
Previous public offices held (if any): None
Educational background: Graduate of North Pocono
Career: Housewife
Family: Husband and two children
Community/Civic Interests: Social member of the Elmhurst/Roaring Brook Fire Department//Member of the North Pocono Parent Teacher Association
Have you ever been convicted of a crime other than minor traffic violations? No
Why did you decide to run for office? I am a stay at home mom looking to help the community and earn extra income
How do you feel you can make a difference for your constituents? Offering day and evening hours for working families.  Also, continuing to maintain accurate records.
Susan D. Blascak
Position Sought: Tax Collector
Previous public offices held (if any): None
Educational background: 1981 Graduate of North Pocono High School, Licensed Cosmetologist from Vo-Tech
Career:  Employed by Penn Security Bank for 25 years
Family: Husband, Steve, son, Stephen
Community/Civic Interests:  Volunteer time to support many organizations, Race for the Cure, Jaycees Christmas parade, visited nursing home w/therapy dogs, complete annual audit for Maple Lake United Methodist Church.
Have you ever been convicted of a crime other than minor traffic violations? No
Why did you decide to run for office? I developed an interest in the position of tax collector having worked with customer escrow payments and projections during my banking career.
How do you feel you can make a difference for your constituents? I feel that the experience and knowledge that I have obtained during my lengthy banking career have prepared me to successfully perform the responsibilities and duties as the tax collector of Roaring Brook Twp.  Furthermore, the extensive training that I have had with answering bank customer questions concerning their tax bills as well as accurately posting payments and solving customers problems would make me a valuable asset as tax collector.

Spring Brook Township
Mauri B. Kelly
Position sought: Real Estate Tax Collector
Previous pubic offices held (if any):  I am currently serving my second term as Real Estate Tax Collector
Educational background:  1981 Graduate of North Pocono High School/Attended Marywood University
Career:  I am employed by Lackawanna County holding the position of Records Supervisor at the county prison
Family:  I have two children:  Son: Kyle Tomko, who is a sophomore at Temple University. Daughter: Anne Marie Tomko, who will be attending Bloomsburg University.
Community/Civic Interests:  I am a member of St. Catherine of Siena Church, The Society of Irish Women, St. Joseph’s Auxiliary, Lackawanna County Federation of Women
Have you ever been convicted of a crime other than minor traffic violation?  No.  I have never been convicted of a crime
Why did you decide to run for office?  I am running for re-election because I enjoy serving the people of Spring Brook Township as Tax Collector
How do you feel you can make a difference for your constituents?  I feel that I make a difference in serving my constituents in that I make myself available for all of the residents of Spring Brook Township, affording them the opportunity to take care of their tax-related issues as smoothly as possible.

Lackawanna County Judge, Court of Common Pleas
Margaret “Margie” Bisignani Moyle
Town of Residence:  Scranton
Previous public offices held (if any): Assistant District Attorney, Lackawanna County (12 years), Special Assistant United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania (4 years), Assistant State Attorney, Miami-Dade County, Fla. and St. Lucie County, Fla. (9 years).
Educational Background: Scranton Prep (1980), Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. (Bachelor’s/ Political Science 1984) and Juris Doctor (1987).
Family: Husband, Douglas Moyle, Bridey, age 15, triplets Liam, Spencer, and Maggie, age 11, and Skyler, age 7.
Career:  I have been Assistant District Attorney for more than 21 years. I began my career in January 1988 in the Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office. By the end of that year, I was trying Rape and Attempted Murder cases. In November, 1980, I moved to Miami, Fla. with my husband, who had accepted a position as a United States Probation Officer for the Southern District of Florida. I was hired by then-Dade County State Attorney Janet Reno as a felony Assistant State Attorney. I was able to bypass the Juvenile/ Misdemeanor Division because I had already had three years’ experience.
I was one of about 140 assistants in the felony division in Miami, which handled approximately 43,000 arrests yearly. In 1992, I was promoted to the Sexual Battery Division and in 1994 I was promoted to Assistant Chief of that division. In this position, I supervised and trained the other attorneys in the Sexual Battery Division. My experience in Florida was invaluable because I observed and learned many different perspectives and programs on how courts operate.
With four small children and 1,300 miles from home, receiving assistance from family was stretched quite thin. In Mach 2000, my husband secured a transfer to the Middle District of Pennsylvania and we returned to Scranton to raise our family. I returned to the Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office, trying rape, robbery, and assault cases, among others. In 2005, I was accepted as a special assistant United States Attorney and am the only Assistant District Attorney that actively practices in Federal Court.
In 2006, I was promoted to Deputy District Attorney of the felony drug unit. Throughout my 21 years in the courtroom, I have handled thousands and thousands of cases, obtaining convictions in the vast majority of them. I have a reputation of being a tough but fair prosecutor, someone who does not back down from a challenge, which is demonstrated by my willingness to take cases to jury trial.
Why did you decide to run for office? I am running for judge for two important reasons. This position is that of a trial judge. It is a newly-created position due to increases in the criminal, civil, family law, and juvenile caseloads. A trial judge of the Court of Common pleas is elected to preside over a large variety of cases, including civil, criminal, family law, orphans court, real estate, probate, etc. One of the many tasks that the judge will be required to do is preside over jury trials. In my opinion, a lawyer who has actually conducted jury trials is best suited for this position because they will now have to preside over these trials. The Rules of Evidence are complex and apply equally in civil and criminal cases. In this race, I am the only experienced trial lawyer, having conducted more than 100 jury trials. I have more jury trial experience than the other three candidates combined. As a factual matter, when the two younger candidates were in college and high school, respectively, I was trying rape and attempted murder cases. Skill and experience lead to efficiency in the courtroom. The second reason I am running for judge is to promote balance and diversity on the court. In the history of Lackawanna County, only one woman has been elected to the bench, the Honorable Trish Corbett, who was elected in 1998. Since she took the bench, five (5) of the vacancies have been filled and in all of these races, no woman ran. In my opinion, the court should reflect the society that it serves. I think our community would benefit from more balance on the court.
How do you feel you can make a difference for the Court?  In my 21 years of professional experience, I have never compromised my integrity. In leading by example, maintaining and bestowing strong values and character to my children are paramount. In addition to accomplishing these goals, I believe I can make a difference by bringing balance, perspective, experience, and efficiency to the bench.
Frank P. Castellano
Town of Residence:  Moscow
Previous Public Office Held (if any): N/A
Educational background: Scranton Preparatory School, University of Scranton, Saint Louis University School of Law
Career: Deputy District Attorney, Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office
Family:  Wife, Cammie; daughter, Grace
Community/ Civic Interests: Scranton Jaycees, Kiwanis Club of Scranton, Knights of Columbus- 4th Degree, UNICO, La Festa Italiana, Voluntary Action Center, American Cancer Society, St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen, Sisters of the Good Shepherd, Boy Scouts of America, Scranton Prep Alumni Board of Governors, Northeast Regional Cancer Institute.
Have you ever been convicted of a crime other than minor traffic violations?  No.
Why did you decide to run for office?  Now more than ever it is vital that elected officials give back more to their community then they take.  As I travel throughout Lackawanna County, meeting voters, the most important issue that they consistently speak about is honesty and integrity in the judicial system.  A judge must possess the traits of character, integrity and experience.  It has been my privilege to serve the citizens of Lackawanna County for many years, both in and out of the courtroom.
How do you feel  you can make a difference for the Court?  In every decision that I make, in every matter that comes before me, I ensure the outcome will be based on fairness, justice and the determination that the right thing was done for the right reasons.  
John Paul Pesota
Town of Residence:  Dickson City
Previous public offices held: Magisterial Justice - Mid Valley 1999 to present
Educational Background: I attended Dickson City public schools and graduated from Dickson City High School in 1967.  I graduated as class Valedictorian. 
I went to Pennsylvania State University and graduated from there in 1971 with a BA in Political Science.  While there I was a sports reporter for the Daily Collegian newspaper. I worked in the sports department.  I graduated Magna Cum Laude and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi national honor societies. I was also a member of Pi Sigma Alpha, the Political Science club.  Although I was only two when my father died unexpectedly,  my mother told me about and I read  about his military service.  He fought both in World War II and in Korea and decided to make the military his career.    I wanted to follow my father’s footsteps in the Military  and enrolled in the ROTC program and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant. After graduation, I was accepted into Villanova University School of Law and graduated from there in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree.  Much of my college education was funded by the GI Bill due to my father’s military service.
Career:  After Law School, I returned to the Scranton area and engaged in the private practice of law.  I spent some time working for Munley and Munley law firm and John E.V. Pieski.  Then I went into private solo practice, where I have practiced for about 30 years with a wide range of experience in civil and criminal law. I have served several positions as Solicitor: to the Midvalley School Board of Directors, Midvalley School Authority, Dickson City Borough, and to Linda Munley, Register of Wills. I was elected to the position of Magisterial District Judge in 1999 and was sworn in January, 2000.  I was re-elected in 2005 and currently I am serving my second term. I continued my military career in Pennsylvania National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve.  I was assigned to the 55th Brigade Headquarters at the Watres Armory in Scranton, to the 2091st USARF School in Scranton, to the 79th ARCOM Headquarters at Willow Grove Naval Air Station, and to the 358th Civil Affairs Brigade in Norristown.  Military education includes Officer Basic Course Military Intelligence, Officer Advanced Course Infantry, Command and General Staff College, and Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute and Civil Affairs Branch Qualification.  I retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. 
Family:  I was born 9/22/1949 at Fort Benning, Georgia.  My father was CWO 4 John Pesota,  a career Warrant Officer in the U.S. Army who was born and raised in Olyphant.  My mother, Claire, was  born and raised in Dickson City. I have one sister who is widowed and has two sons John and Jeffrey.  She currently works at Schiff’s. My father died in July 1952 while on active duty at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.  My mother moved the family back to Dickson City where I grew up and still reside. I married the former Joanne Donson of Dickson City August 26, 1983.  She is the daughter of Nicholas and Ann Donson.  She is employed by the Abington Heights School District as the food service director, a position she has held for approximately 28 years.  She is a graduate of Scranton Central High School, Class of 1973, Keystone College, and holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from Marywood University.  We have been blessed with three children Jonathan, age 20 and Christopher, age 19, both current students at the University of Rochester where Chris is a member of the football team and Jonathan played varsity football for his first two years.  We have a daughter Nicole, age 13, an eighth grade student at LaSalle Academy.
Community activities:  Basketball coach at Dickson City Civic Center biddy program, basketball coach at Abington Youth Basketball League, open High School Division, basketball coach at Scranton Diocese CYO program, High School Division, for St. Gregory’s Parish, Clarks Green.  Our CYO team won the Scranton Diocese championship two consecutive years and represented the Diocese in the State Tournament finishing in 8th place in 2006 at Greensburg and 3rd place in 2007 in Philadelphia.  Baseball coach Dickson City Little League, Junior League, and Senior League Fall Baseball. All Star Coach Dickson City Junior League.  Baseball coach Abington Senior League, All Star Coach, Abington Senior League.  Also former Crusade Chairman, 2 years, Lackawanna County American Cancer Society; Dickson City Blood Drive Chairman, American Red Cross; Volunteer Solicitor, Dickson City Community Ambulance Association; Church Lector, St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Dickson City, and St. Gregory’s Church, Clarks Green; member of Finance Committee, St. Thomas the Apostle Church.                                                                                                                                                                                                               
Why did you decide to run for office? I decided to run for Magisterial District Judge in 1999, when the sitting Magistrate John Pieski retired from the position.  I had already been practicing Law for over 20 years and wanted to start a new career path in a judicial capacity.  I captured both the Democratic and Republican nominations in the Spring primary and was elected in November, taking office in January, 2000.  I was re-elected in 2005 without opposition.  I have found my service most rewarding and challenging.  I learned that being a good Judge is no easy task.  In addition to knowledge of the Law, a good judge needs many other qualities.  The most important of these qualities are honesty, integrity, a sense of fairness, an even temperament, being a good listener, and patience.  I find working with young offenders the most rewarding.  As a parent of teenage children, I know the concerns of parents whose children make bad decisions.  Most commonly I have dealt with cases of underage drinking and shoplifting by teenagers.  When they come before me with their parents it becomes apparent that they are good kids making terrible decisions. In many of  these kinds of cases I often use an alternate disposition program such as counseling and/or community service instead of imposing fines and creating a record which might follow the person and derail an otherwise promising future. Given this kind of opportunity, I find that most of these young offenders learn and move on in a positive direction.
How do you feel  you can make a difference for the Court? I aspire to the position of Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Lackawanna County because I want to continue to work to have a positive impact on the lives of those who come before me.  I am qualified by my Judicial Experience, having the honor of serving nine years as Magisterial District Judge, by my Legal Experience as a practicing Attorney for over 30 years, and my life experiences to include my military experience.  I come from humble beginnings and never forget where I came from. I will work hard to the best of my abilities. I have been and will continue to be honest and fair, always willing to listen, but tough when the situation calls. I would be proud and honored to serve as your Judge.