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New judge appointed to replace Dayich

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WAYNESBURG – Louis Dayich, who is leaving his magisterial district judge’s post this week to become Greene County judge, welcomed his interim replacement to his Waynesburg office Tuesday.

Jesse Cramer, a district judge who served in Belle Vernon for three decades before retiring in 2013, was appointed this week by the state Supreme Court to fill Dayich’s seat in the interim.

“Here, come sit in your new chair,” Dayich said while introducing Cramer to his office staff.

Cramer, who turns 57 this weekend, will be sworn-in Monday for his position as senior magisterial judge for the district that covers Waynesburg and the townships in the western part of the county. Cramer has served as a senior district judge, which is a temporary role when an elected magistrate leaves office, in Masontown for the past seven months.

“I’ve always been in tune with that side of (the position),” Cramer said. “I look forward to being able to do the best I’ll be able to do.”

It was not known if a permanent replacement would be appointed later by Gov. Tom Wolf to fill the remaining two years of Dayich’s term, or if Cramer would continue to serve through 2017 when an election will be held to serve a full six-year term.

“I’ll be here as long as they’ll have me,” Cramer said. “Whatever their need is.”

For now, Cramer has no set schedule but is expected to work four days a week, Greene County Court Administrator Sheila Rode said. His office will remain open to the public during normal business hours.

Cramer began as a district judge in 1983 when he was appointed by former Gov. Dick Thornburgh. He later was elected to a full term and had served in Belle Vernon until he lost the nomination battle to Richard Kasunic II in 2013 after his district was consolidated. Before working as a judge, Cramer worked as a Belle Vernon police officer and the police chief for Washington Township in Fayette County. He resides in the Belle Vernon area and will commute to Waynesburg.

Dayich, who defeated attorney Jeff Grimes in last month’s election, will be sworn-in Monday for his 10-year term as Greene County judge to replace former judge William Nalitz.

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