close

Twists and turns in magisterial district judge races

5 min read
1 / 6

 

2 / 6

Mark Wilson, running for Magisterial District Judge 27-1-02.

3 / 6

Peter Seth Hoosac, running for Magisterial District Judge 27-1-02.

4 / 6

Diane DiSalle, running for Magisterial District Judge, 27-3-01.

5 / 6

Jabob Machel, running for Magisterial District Judge, 27-3-01.

6 / 6

William Merrell

Races in two magisterial district in Washington County are so full of plot twists and turns that they could furnish fodder to a novelist.

In the district that includes Carroll Township, Donora, Monongahela and New Eagle, incumbent District Judge Mark Wilson faces a proceeding before the state Court of Judicial Discipline, which has alleged he used his office punitively, setting high bonds for defendants, including the Mon City mayor, which resulted in them landing in jail.

The court Tuesday granted the Judicial Conduct Board’s request for a 30-day extension of time to file pretrial documents, meaning that no determination will occur before the May 16 primary.

Wilson, a Democrat, declined to discuss the matter but said his campaign strategy has remain unchanged since he was elected to the office in 2005 when it was an open seat; he’s posting signs and making personal appearances. The former police officer noted he graduated from the academy on a Thursday and, within hours, began work as a part-timer on both the Donora and Carroll Township police forces before being hired full-time in Monongahela, from which he also patroled New Eagle.

Asked why voters should nominate him as magistrate, he replied, “Because of my experience. I have a background in law enforcement and I’ve always been fair with everybody who has come into my courtroom.”

Challenging Wilson for the office is Peter Seth Hoosac of New Eagle, who is self-employed in a business known as Landscape Paints.

“I respect my opponent, Mr.Wilson, and I wish him the best,” Hoosac said. “I hope to inspire people in our community to run for public office and to get involved with helping their community.”

Hoosac, a U.S. Army veteran who served from 1986 to 1990, was stationed in Europe during the Cold War, describing his mission as “to preserve our freedoms.”

He attended magisterial courses in 2015 and 2016 with an aim of achieving certification required for the office.

“I believe in integrity and just and I cherish our Constitutional liberties,” he said.

Hoosac is a registered Republican.

Both candidates have cross-filed.

In the neighboring magisterial district that includes Nottingham, Peters and Union townships and Finleyville, the name of only one candidate, Jacob Machel, appears on the ballot but two Peters residents are attempting to gain nomination via write-in votes.

Incumbent District Judge James Ellis of McMurray circulated nominating petitions but announced March 7, the same day as the filing deadline, he intends to retire at the end of his current term. Giving notice at the 11th hour created the only open seat this year in a Washington County magisterial district.

Machel began circulating nominating petitions Feb. 14, the first date to do so, and filed them before the deadline, as did another Peters resident, Ryan Welsch, who later withdrew.

William Merrell and Diane DiSalle, also Peters residents, both said it appears Machel had been hand-picked as Ellis’ successor.

“The people in our townships are very upset about this,” said DiSalle, a Democrat from McMurray. “Truly, if there were five people on the ballot, I wouldn’t be doing this. I’m one of those people who say, ‘Somebody should do something about that,'” and she said she found herself being that “somebody.”

DiSalle, the wife of Common Pleas Court Judge John DiSalle, said she brings from her profession as a registered nurse case manager to a magisterial office good assessment skills and a knowledge of the devastating effects of drug abuse.

“I don’t believe this was the way this position should have been opened,” said Merrell, a Venetia resident and former Washington County Republican Party chairman, in a phone interview. If elected, he promised to serve a single term. A member of Peters Township School Board, Merrell would have to step down from that post if elected.

Merrell’s background includes the U.S. Air Force, teaching civics in Chartiers Valley School District, for which he waged a court battle to be hired with a veteran’s preference, a director with A&L Security, Belle Vernon, on whose behalf he appeared in employment matters, and a real estate agent, broker and manager in which he said he gained knowledge of landlord-tenant disputes.

Machel works in the same field, for a full-service commercial real estate firm while helping to manage and run a family-owned real estate holding company.

While majoring in political science at Washington & Jefferson College, Machel said he received permission from the political science department chairman to do an internship under Ellis, giving him the opportunity to observe the day-to-day workings of the office, its responsibilities “and the impact that it has on people’s lives. In my opinion, this position is non-political and should never be,” he wrote in response to emailed questions.

Machel has cross-filed. His opponents, each seeking write-in nominations from both Republicans and Democrats, conceded they have an uphill battle.

CUSTOMER LOGIN

If you have an account and are registered for online access, sign in with your email address and password below.

NEW CUSTOMERS/UNREGISTERED ACCOUNTS

Never been a subscriber and want to subscribe, click the Subscribe button below.

Starting at $3.75/week.

Subscribe Today