District Judge
that services this district is not being educated on its Judicial system. I will reduce the crime statistics in this district by being a Community Judge, who will educate this community on judicial processes and the law. Education equals crime reduction. /// This has been a life long dream and after 20 years of working in the community in social services, elder services and youth services, I have the experience that it takes to bring fair and equal justice!
Republican PATRICIA PATTI M. ENGLER
www.linkedin.com/in/patricia-engler-01988a26 D.O.B.: 1969
Education: Graduate, William Allen High
School, 1987; Certified as a District Justice,
1997 on first attempt; Certified CPR/First-Aid Instructor - 29 yrs, I instruct Lehigh County staff; Trained Judges Concerned for Judges phone support volunteer - 11 yrs
Occupation: Magisterial District Judge Qualifications: 17 years of experience as local Judge presiding over tens of thousands of cases fairly and impartially. Performed 1,998 marriage ceremonies. Volunteer at Good Shepherd Home - 33 yrs, 8th Ward Neighborhood Group - 30 yrs, St. Luke’s Church - 12 yrs
Response: Lifelong Allentown resident and for 33 yrs. at 8th & Tilghman, I raised two
Allen graduates. The most important issue is the impact that a District Judge will have on school students and their families. Since 2004, I have held trials for every truancy case filed in my court. Instead of just fining the parents, many agreed and succeeded to have massive improvement of attendance which resulted in overall enrichment of the student’s entire family. I have always sought out ways to make things better for each child. I have said we either pay now or pay later. Meaning, we either make an impression on a student when they are young and make school success within reach or we may unfortunately see them later on in the criminal justice system.
MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT 31-1-03
Allentown Wards 3, 13, 17, 18
Vote for one:
Democrat/Republican
RONALD MANESCU
MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT 31-1-06
Bethlehem Wards 10, 11, 12 and 13, and Fountain Hill.
Vote for one:
Democrat
AMY ZANELLI www.amyzanelli.com/
D.O.B.: 1981
Education: Rutgers University, dual Bachelors in Science in Forensics and Sociology; Certifications
in Criminology, Domestic Violence, Substance Abuse, and more.
Occupation: Lehigh County Commissioner and Licensed Realtor
Qualifications: As a state level specialized investigator of child abuse, Amy possesses a wealth of law and courtroom experience. As Chair of Lehigh County Commissioners she wrote laws to make our community a more just, equitable, and fair place to work and live. Response: Everyday citizens are more likely to come into contact with magisterial courts than any other level of our judiciary. The citizens of West Bethlehem and Fountain Hill deserve a magisterial district judge who can serve as a neutral and detached arbiter of the facts. Your local judge should have no prior relationships or loyalties that may distract them from this vital role. An independent judiciary is a necessary part of the checks and balances that keep our system functional. The best way to serve the citizens, the police and the cause of justice is to maintain an inviolable separation of powers between the branches of government.
Republican
VAN A. SCOTT SR. www.vanascottsrformdj.org
D.O.B.: 1963
Education: M.S., (Criminology) St. Joseph’s University, 2011; M.Ed., Temple University, Candidate; B.A., (Criminal Justice), DeSales University, 2009
Occupation: High School CTE Teacher/Adjunct Professor
Qualifications: United States Army/National Guard Veteran, City of Bethlehem Police Officer 21 years with training in courtroom presentation/defense strategies and tactics, domestic violence, ethics, child sexual exploitation investigation, and cultural diversity.
Response: Magisterial district judges are often the first encounter citizens have with the judicial system. Sadly, national events of the last year or so have caused skepticism of the system. However, Valley magisterial district judges are known for integrity, fairness, impartiality, commonsense, and compassion. It is crucial I maintain that example. All who come before me will be treated with dignity and respect. All will understand their rights without barriers (e.g., language, cognitive, etc.), promoting full participation. Inserting political views and other agendas is biased and unethical, and will not occur in my court. Exploring programming opportunities and educating the public through community interaction will bring creativity to my court.
MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT 31-2-01
Allentown Wards 1, 5, 6, 9
Vote for one:
Democrat/Republican KAREN C. DEVINE
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY
Candidates were asked: In your position you frequently must deal with the public. How do you plan to protect the health of your office staff and the people you deal with in these interactions?
MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT 03-2-01
Bethlehem Wards 6, 7, 8 and 9
Vote for one:
Democrat/Republican
ROY A. MANWARING II
MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT 03-2-03
Bethlehem Township
Vote for one:
Democrat
SANDRA L. MCCLURE
D.O.B.: not provided
Education: University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown; Widener University Law
Occupation: Attorney
Qualifications: Assistant District Attorney for nearly 20 years. Chief Prosecutor of the DUI Unit. Chief Prosecutor of the Juvenile Unit. Drug Forfeiture Coordinator.
Response: not provided
Republican
ANDREW TUPONE
D.O.B.: 1989
Education: Freedom High School, Community Service Award; Northampton Community College, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society; Pennsylvania State Police Academy; Pennsylvania State University, Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, Minor Judiciary Education Board Certification.
Occupation: not provided
Qualifications: Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, Minor Judiciary Education Board Certification, a requirement for non-attorney Magistrates. Local, county, County, State and Federal Levels
Response: My plan to protect the health of my office staff and the people we deal with would be simple. I would make sure we would follow the latest guidelines to ensure that the court operated in the most efficient manner without compromising the rules and guidelines set forth by the president judge and the court system.
MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT 03-2-09
Forks and Palmer townships, Tatamy
Vote for one:
Democrat
SUSAN HUTNIK
D.O.B.: 1968
Education: Easton Area High School, 1971; Syracuse University, 1990; Seton Hall School of Law, 1997
Occupation: Senior Assistant Public Defender for Northampton County
Qualifications: Judicial Clerk to the Honorable
James C. Hogan, 1997-1998; Private Practice, 1998-2006; Assistant Public Defender 1999-current. Admitted to practice law before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Over 23 years of service to clients, our Courts and community, appearing routinely before every sitting Magisterial Judge and trial judge in Northampton County.
Response: As a matter of constitutional law, Magisterial District Judges are required to assure access to the Court, regardless of the threats posed by this pandemic, whether it be a preliminary hearing in a criminal prosecution, a hearing in a landlord tenant matter, or a civil dispute between neighbors.
President Judge Michael Koury has mandated that all persons appearing in our Courts wear face masks. As well, President Judge Koury has established safety protocols as necessary to protect the litigants and the staff, whose enduring hard work is critical to our Court operations, including the installation of safety glass, social distancing regulations and cleaning and sanitization procedures. Mindful of the information continuing to be available from the Centers for Disease Control, our Courts require quarantining and leave for staff who have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus. ///
Republican
MARC CRISAFULLI No response
MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT 03-2-10
Bethlehem Wards 1, 2, 3 and 4
Vote for one:
Democrat/Republican JORDAN KNISLEY
MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT 03-3-01
Allen, Lehigh and Moore (Beersville and Klecknersville Districts) townships; Northampton, North Catasauqua and Walnutport
Vote for one:
Democrat
MELISSA GOGEL
D.O.B.: 1981
Education: Master’s degree in Justice Studies, Master’s Certificate in Digital Forensics, Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice
Occupation: Allentown Police Officer Qualifications: Certified by PA Minor Justice Board for Magisterial District Judge, 18 years police officer
Response: Follow CDC guidelines. Utilize ACT (advanced communication technology) where needed. Using two-way audio-video will eliminate the need to have people interact with office staff/public.
Republican
ROBERT A. HAWKE No response