LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF
PENNSYLVANIA
CITIZEN EDUCATION FUND
NONPARTISAN VOTERS GUIDE
MUNICIPAL PRIMARY, MAY 15,
2007
(C)
Copyright 2007 LWVPA - CEF
Polls open 7 A.M. to 8 P.M.
This
Voters Guide may be taken into the voting booth.
FOR ELECTION INFORMATION
Contact your county Board of
Elections. The League of Women
Voters of Pennsylvania Citizen Information Center also provides election
information. CALL TOLL FREE:
1-800-692-7281
ABOUT THIS GUIDE
The material in this Guide
was compiled by the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania. This material may
not be altered or reprinted without the permission of the League.
Each candidate's reply has been printed as submitted, except to use
standard abbreviations and by editing from the bottom when a candidate's reply
exceeded the word limit. The candidates listed are those whose names appear on the
ballot as of March 21, 2007. They
are listed according to their ballot order.
PURPOSE AND POLICY OF THE
LEAGUE
The purpose of the League of
Women Voters is to promote political responsibility through informed and active
participation of citizens in government. The League is nonpartisan: it does not
support or oppose any political parties or candidates.
Nothing in this guide should be construed as an endorsement of any
candidate by the League of Women Voters.
ABSENTEE VOTING
Registered voters who are
ill, disabled, or will be absent from the municipality on Election Day may vote
by absentee ballot. Completed
APPLICATIONS for absentee ballots must be received by the county Board of
Elections by 5 P.M., Tuesday, May 8. Completed
absentee BALLOTS must be received back at the Board of Elections by 5 P.M. on
Friday, May 11. If an emergency
arises (unexpected illness or business trip) after the Tuesday application
deadline, call your county Board of Elections for information on emergency
absentee voting. Proof of emergency
may be required. An emergency
application and ballot can be obtained and voted by 5 P.M. on Friday, May 11.
Any disabled voter having questions regarding the accessibility of a
polling place should consult the county Board of Elections.
WRITE-IN VOTING
For write-in voting
information, check with the workers at your polling place before entering the
voting booth.
ELECTION DAY PROBLEMS
If your right to vote is challenged at the polls on Election Day and the
problem cannot be resolved at the polling place, the judge of elections at the
polling place will (MAY) telephone the county Board of Elections.
The problem could be resolved by phone if your name appears on the county
records. If it does not and you
want to try to resolve the problem, then you will have to go in person to the
county Board of Elections where a judge from the Court of Common Pleas will be
on duty to resolve election problems.
IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
FOR NEW VOTERS
If you are a new voter or if you are voting at a polling place for the first
time then you must bring your voter ID card or a photo ID such as a driver's
license, student ID or some other form of Federal or State government issued ID.
Some forms of non-photo ID are also acceptable such as a firearm permit, current
utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or government check. If you do no
have any acceptable ID then you must be allowed to vote by provisional ballot.
PROVISIONAL BALLOTS
If your right to vote is challenged at the polls on Election Day, you are in the
right polling place, and the problem cannot be resolved by the judge of
elections, you have the right to ask for and vote by provisional ballot.
If it is later determined that you were eligible to vote your ballot will be
counted. You will be given instructions on how to determine if your vote
was counted.
ON-LINE VOTERS GUIDE
The Voters Guide and other useful information for voters can be found on
the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania Homepage: www.palwv.org.
*CERTIFICATION NOTE*
As of the publication date of this guide, the slate of candidates listed
below is accurate based upon the Pennsylvania Department of State’s Bureau of
Elections unofficial ballot.
SUPREME COURT
JUSTICE
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Pennsylvania Supreme
Court is the highest judicial authority in the Commonwealth. In addition to
being the final court of appeals, it serves as administrator of the unified
court system and is responsible for ensuring that all Pennsylvania courts
perform their duties properly. The Court hears decisions of the Superior and
Commonwealth Courts and in certain cases, including those involving the death
penalty, from the Courts of Common Pleas. It may also assume jurisdiction over
any case pending before a lower court that involves an issue of immediate public
importance. There are seven Supreme Court justices, the Chief Justice being the
one having the longest continuous service on the Court.
Term: 10 years
Salary: $175,236.00
(Vote for not more than two)
Question:
What does the phrase “’judicial independence’ mean to you?
DEMOCRATIC
WILLIS
W. BERRY JR., Philadelphia
D.O.B:
08/24/1942
EDUCATION:
1968, Penn State University, B.S.
1970,
Drexel University
1976,
Temple University School of Law, J.D.
OCCUPATION:
Judge, Court of Common Pleas
QUALIFICATIONS:
Attorney for 20 years
11 years, Judge for Court of Common Pleas
ANSWER
TO QUESTION:
No strings attached.
SEAMUS
P. MCCAFFERY, Philadelphia
D.O.B:
06/03/1950
EDUCATION:
1977, LaSalle College, B.A.
1989,
Temple University School of Law, J.D.
OCCUPATION:
Pennsylvania Superior Court Judge
QUALIFICATIONS:
39 years’ experience in the PA legal system
Decorated police officer
Attorney, trial & administrative judge (appt by Supreme Court)
11 years, Judge for Court of Common Pleas
ANSWER
TO QUESTION:
The courage to assess the facts
and apply the law free from political pressure or regard for popular sentiment. Unlike
legislators, judges gain respect by proving they will decide each case with
absolute impartiality, integrity and open-mindedness.
To do this, judges must not fear retaliation from political entities or
the media. If the public
distinguishes the interpretive role of the judiciary from the law-making role of
the legislature, judges will be free to perform their constitutionally-mandated
role independently.
DEBRA
TODD, Cranberry Twp.
D.O.B:
10/15/1957
EDUCATION:
1979, Chatham College, B.A.
1982,
Pittsburgh University School of Law, J.D.
2004,
Virginia University School of Law, LL. M.
OCCUPATION:
Pennsylvania Superior Court Judge
QUALIFICATIONS:
18 years as practicing Trial Attorney, Superior Court Judge for 7 years,
Rated
“Highly Recommended” by Allegheny County and PA Bar Associations
ANSWER
TO QUESTION:
Judicial
independence is a matter of personal courage and integrity.
It is incumbent on judges to make a sincere effort to educate the public
regarding the respective roles of each branch of government and the importance
of protecting the judiciary from undue influence.
I decide each case that comes before me on its own merits.
I am committed to the Rule of Law and to the protections guaranteed by
the United States and Pennsylvania Constitutions.
C.
DARNELL JONES II, Philadelphia
D.O.B:
11/23/1949
EDUCATION:
1972, Southwestern College, B.S.
1975,
American University, J.D.
OCCUPATION:
Judge, Court of Common Pleas
QUALIFICATIONS:
Attorney for 20 years
Almost 20 years, Judge for Court of Common Pleas
Endorsed
by Gov. Edward Rendell, “Highly Recommended” by PBA, Rated top 500 judges in
America, Adjunct Professor – Univ. of PA Law School/National Judicial College
ANSWER
TO QUESTION:
Judicial independence means doing what is right, both legally and
morally, notwithstanding forces which overtly and covertly attempt to compromise
or subvert the judicial process. Judicial
independence is judicial accountability. I
foster a culture where there is a willingness to allow the public to see what I
do, ask questions about what I do, and make myself available to explain what I
do. That breeds trust.
Trust breeds independence, which is another word for respect.
REPUBLICAN
MAUREEN
LALLY-GREEN, Cranberry Twp.
D.O.B.
07/05/1949
EDUCATION:
1971, Duquesne University, B.S.
1974, Duquesne University Law School, J.D.
OCCUPATION:
Pennsylvania Superior Court Judge
QUALIFICATIONS:
7 years as Superior Court Judge, Law Professor for 15 years and 9 years
as a practicing attorney
ANSWER
TO QUESTION:
“Judicial independence”
means that judges are able to perform their duties in a fair and impartial
manner that comports with the requirements of the Constitutions of Pennsylvania
and the United States, and the law. Citizens
turn to the courts to resolve disputed issues and/or to vindicate their rights.
Judges who are able to perform their duties in the described manner serve
these needs of the citizens in a way contemplated by our Constitutions and the
law.
MIKE
KRANCER, Bryn Mawr
D.O.B.
12/05/1957
EDUCATION:
1980, University of Virginia, B.A.
1983, Washington and Lee University School of Las, J.D. summa cum laude
OCCUPATION:
Chief Judge & Chairman of the Environmental Hearing Board.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Practicing attorney for 17 years, judge for 7 years.
Annual Community
Leadership Award, various volunteer activities
ANSWER
TO QUESTION:
1) Making decisions based on the
law and facts of the case independent of outside influence or consideration.
2) The courage to do what is right even if that course runs counter to
the agenda(s) of the other branches of government.
SUPERIOR COURT
JUSTICE
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Pennsylvania Superior
Court is one of two intermediate appellate courts. It hears all criminal and civil appeals from the Courts of
Common Pleas except for death penalty cases and those that are specifically
assigned to the Commonwealth Court. The
Court has fifteen judges, with the President Judge elected by the members.
Judges of the Superior Court must be lawyers and must reside in
Pennsylvania for at least a year before their election and for as long as they
continue in office.
Term: 10 years
Salary: $165,342.00
(Vote for not more than two)
Question:
What does the phrase “’judicial independence’ mean to you?
DEMOCRATIC
RON
FOLINO, Pittsburgh
D.O.B:
02/14/1954
EDUCATION:
1976, Pennsylvania State, B.S., magna cum laude
1981,
Dickinson School of Law, J.D., honor society
OCCUPATION:
Judge, Court of Common Pleas
QUALIFICATIONS:
Rated #1 in fairness and impartiality for last 8 years, overall 70 state
and federal trial judges in county, by the Allegheny County Bar Association
survey of nearly 8,000 practitioners; highly recommended by PA Bar Association
ANSWER
TO QUESTION:
The judiciary is responsible for
protecting the individual rights of the people.
Judicial independence means that a judge should be willing to make the
correct decision under the law (including the Constitution) even though that
decision might be unpopular among some groups.
ANN
E. LAZARUS
D.O.B:
EDUCATION:
1972, SUNY at Stony Brook, B.A.
1976,
Temple University School of Law, J.D.
1986,
Temple University School of Law, LLM
OCCUPATION:
Judge, Court of Common Pleas
QUALIFICATIONS:
Of Counsel, Ballard, Spahr, Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP
10 years, legal Counsel to Orphans’ Court Division
ANSWER
TO QUESTION:
Judicial independence is a
critical part of maintaining the judiciary as a strong, co-equal branch of
government. The courts must be free
from pressure, whether personal or political, in order to focus on doing what is
right for our community, our country and our constitution.
As a judge for over 15 years, law clerk and a lawyer before that, I have
maintained my independence by focusing on doing what is right, not what is
popular.
JAMES
MURRAY LYNN, Philadelphia
D.O.B:
10/15/1947
EDUCATION:
1970, LaSalle University, B.A.
1973,
Loyola University School of Law, J.D.
1995,
National Judicial College
OCCUPATION:
Judge, Court of Common Pleas
QUALIFICATIONS:
16 years Trial Judge – almost all court divisions; Prosecutor, 3 years;
15 years private practice attorney; “Recommended” by PBA; lifelong record of
community & public service
ANSWER
TO QUESTION:
The American form of government
of three equal coordinate branches – legislative, executive and judicial –
can be likened to a three-legged stool. If
any one of the legs does not play a supporting role, then the entire stool will
collapse. Each branch, and
particularly the Judicial branch, must be independent and free from overpowering
interferences, undue influences or dependencies from the other branches, in
order for our government to stand and work effectively and with integrity
CHRISTINE
DONOHUE, Pittsburgh
D.O.B:
12/24/1952
EDUCATION:
1974, East Stroudsburg State University, B.A.
1980,
Duquesne University School of Law, J.D.
OCCUPATION:
Lawyer
QUALIFICATIONS:
Highest possible recommendation for the Superior Court: Judicial
26 years of trial & appellate courts experience
ANSWER
TO QUESTION:
Judicial independence is the
foundation of a fair and impartial judicial system and one of the pillars of our
democracy. Decision-making must be
free of any external influence (political, social or economic).
If such influence could result in a decision that is based on anything
other than an impartial review of the record and the fair application of the
law, a Superior Court judge should recuse herself.
JOHN
MILTON YOUNGE, Philadelphia
D.O.B:
07/19/1955
EDUCATION:
1977, Boston University, B.S.
1981,
Howard University School of Law, J.D.
OCCUPATION:
Judge, Court of Common Pleas
QUALIFICATIONS:
10 years as Trial judge with Court of Common Pleas and 10 years of
service at the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority Dep. Exec. Director and
General Counsel.
ANSWER
TO QUESTION:
It means that judges need the
independence to fairly interpret the constitution and resolve disputes without
political interference. Judges must
have both decisional independence and institutional independence.
Decisional independence means the freedom to issue decisions that may be
constitutionally sound but politically unpopular.
The judiciary must also have the institutional independence from the
other branches of government to perform its function without concern that
resources needed for operation will be withheld.
JAMES
M. DELEON, Philadelphia
D.O.B:
12/25/1946
EDUCATION:
1970, Howard University, B.S.
1976,
Delaware School of Law, J.D.
OCCUPATION:
Judge, Philadelphia Municipal Court
QUALIFICATIONS:
20 years judicial experience,15 years in Army Corps of Engineers, 10
years practicing attorney
ANSWER
TO QUESTION:
Judicial independence is the
freedom that a judge should have to decide a case before him/her impartially,
based on the facts and in accordance with the law, without restrictions,
improper influences, inducements, pressures, threats or interferences from
outside pressure or special interests.
REPUBLICAN
BRUCE
BRATTON, Harrisburg
D.O.B:
06/25/1949
EDUCATION:
1973, Penn State University, B.A.
1976,
University of Pennsylvania, J.D.
OCCUPATION:
Judge, Court of Common Pleas
QUALIFICATIONS:
Penn State grad
Served his country in Vietnam
25 years broad legal experience
11 years as Solicitor to Dauphin County Controller
Served as Susquehanna Twp. Supervisor
Nominated to Court by Tom Ridge in 2001
ANSWER
TO QUESTION:
I have a rather conservative
view on most matters, particularly with regard to the role of a judge.
I believe a judge does not serve a policy-making function and should,
therefore, restrict himself or herself to interpreting and applying the law as
it is, and should never attempt to re-write the law as he or she thinks it
should be. A judge is to put aside all personally held beliefs and
decide the cases which come before him or her by applying the law to the facts
and do so impartially and fairly.
CHERYL
ALLEN, Pittsburgh
D.O.B:
12/16/1947
EDUCATION:
1969, Penn State University, B.S.
1975,
Pittsburgh University School of Law, J.D.
OCCUPATION:
Judge, Court of Common Pleas
QUALIFICATIONS:
16 years as Judge of Allegheny County, 15 years as an attorney, 13 years
as Assistant Solicitor, 3 years as an Elementary School Teacher.
ANSWER
TO QUESTION:
Judicial independence is
maintained when the judge holds fast and true to the oath taken upon induction
–that oath being to uphold the constitutions of the United States and the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. When
a judge is committed to upholding the constitution and interpreting the law,
thereby doing what is right, political expediency cannot enter into the picture.
JACQUELINE
SHOGAN, Murrysville
D.O.B:
06/05/1953
EDUCATION:
1975, Temple University, B.S.N.
1981,
Virginia University, M.S.N.
1990,
Duke University School of Law, J.D. (high honors)
OCCUPATION:
Attorney with Thorp, Reed & Armstrong, LLP
QUALIFICATIONS:
Extensive experience in civil, administrative and criminal law, certified
arbitrator and mediator, teaches appellate practice at Pitt Law School,
“Recommended” by the PBA, longstanding community volunteer, former nurse and
nurse educator.
ANSWER
TO QUESTION:
Judicial independence means that
a judge is obligated to faithfully and impartially apply the law, free from
personal bias, financial or other personal interests, and outside influences.
However, more must be required of our judges.
They must avoid even the appearance of impropriety, which includes the
appearance of lacking judicial independence.
This means that a judge should limit contacts, affiliations, business
dealings, and comments that would reasonably call into question his or her
judicial independence.