5 candidates vie for Kennett area judgeship

NEW GARDEN >> There are five individuals vying for the judgeship seat left open by the retirement of Judge Daniel Maisano for Magisterial District 15-3-04 in the upcoming primary election. They are Jane Donze, an attorney from East Marlborough; Al Iacocca, an attorney from East Marlborough; David Cox, a state constable from Pennsbury; Sean Rafferty, a retired police officer from Pocopson; and Lorraine Ramunno, an attorney from Pennsbury.

They have all cross-filed for both the Republican and Democratic primary, which means that the top vote-getters from each party in the primary election will compete against each other in the general election in November. If the same person comes out on top in both parties, that person will be unopposed in November.

Magisterial District 15-304 serves Kennett Square, Pocopson, Newlin, East Marlborough, Kennett and Pennsbury. The courthouse is along Baltimore Pike in New Garden.

Jane Donze

Jane Donze has more than 25 years experience in civil, criminal and family law. She said her decades spent living in the community are vital to her candidacy.

Donze has heard and decided cases of up to $50,000. She has dealt with landlord-tenant issue and presided over preliminary hearings for felonies and misdemeanors.

“Our judge needs to be fair, ethical and know the community. I am honored to have earned the highest ethical rating possible from a national attorney review firm . ... I have lived here for decades, raised my children here and volunteered my time to local civic groups and charities; I understand the

concerns of our seniors and families,” she said.

David Cox

David Cox has been a Pennsylvania state constable for 30 years. He has also worked for between 150 and 200 attorneys in the five-county area. He has a degree in criminal justice from West Chester University as well as continuing education courses.

Cox said he has been in the homes of hundreds of Chester County residents and has worked for and been in front of many of the district judges. He said this experience has given him the opportunity to understand how he would deal with individuals on a caseby-case basis.

“As district judge I would use the life lessons learned to help those who come before me . ... I plan to focus my influence and energy working with our schools and community to address bullying, elder abuse and other types of aggressive behavior that are threatening our young and old. I also want to reach out to those individuals

who commit crimes because they struggle with an addiction,” he said.

Sean Rafferty

Sean Rafferty was a police officer for 26 years. He said that during his career he spent more time working in the local district courts than any of the other folks running. He has patrolled the streets of Chester County and said he brings perspective and understanding to the bench that only a police officer can.

He said his major focus as a judge would be to work with district court administration to use more intervention programs with groups like COAD (formerly Chester County Council on Addictive Diseases) to help children who are at risk of alcohol and drug abuse issues.

“Children in Chester County die unnecessarily every year in car crashes, suicides and drug overdoses, and we need to address these issues more effectively,” he said.

“Being a magisterial district court judge is about being fair and respectful to everyone, even if you disagree with them personally. Judges are not elected kings; they work for the

people, not the other way around,” he said.

Lorraine Ramunno

Lorraine Ramunno has lived in Pennsbury Township for 17 years and has 35 years of legal experience. After high school she worked in various legal jobs including as a paralegal. She has been an attorney for 23 years admitted to Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Florida. The main area which she practices is criminal defense. She has also represented clients in civil and family law matters involved with Children and Youth Services.

She said if she is elected, she will no longer practice law, but concentrate on the needs of the court.

“Most importantly, I will be committed to protecting the future of our youth. Young people make mistakes, and I do not want to see it affect the rest of their lives. Instead, I will offer an alternative means to redirect them and still hold them accountable for their actions,” she said.

“By my office being in Delaware County, it avoids any potential conflict of interest with the people who reside here or the local busi-

nesses. Consequently, I will be fair, impartial and be able to preside over cases without having to recuse

myself from hearing due to knowing a party to the action,” she said.

Al Iacocca

Al Iacocca is an attorney from East Marlborough, He said his decision to run for the district judge seat

is an opportunity for him to further his commitment to serving the community. He added that he is relying on his years of advocating for civil, criminal and juvenile clients in the district courts, his familiarity with the system and the professional

relationships he has developed with local law enforcement, district attorneys, court staff and other local attorneys as the backbone to his experience and readiness to serve.

Iacocca has been a community leader since moving

to the area, immediately joining the Kennett YMCA’s board of directors. He also served as the Longwood Rotary Club representative for Kennett Run Charities.

Iacocca often provides pro bono legal services in domestic, civil, juvenile and

criminal matters, some of those cases in which he helped teens deal with legal issues. If elected, he said he vows to serve the community as a full-time judge and continue to serve as a volunteer and community leader.