Where do judges stand on issues?
This year, Pennsylvania citizens will elect or re-elect 96 judges to 10-year terms. This includes Judge John H. Chronister, Judge Sheryl Dorney, Judge Stephen P. Linebaugh, Judge Richard K. Renn, Judge Gregory M. Snyder and Judge John W. Thompson Jr., who seek another term as common pleas judge in York County.
During those 10 years, each judge will get nearly $2 million in salaries from the taxpayers. So it seems reasonable to ask where they stand on proposals to improve our court system.
After the state Supreme Court’s secret role in the Pay Raise of 2005 and its decision in 2006 to keep the pay raise even though it was repealed, many proposals emerged to reform our courts.
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That’s why Democracy Rising PA and nine other groups this year sent every candidate a questionnaire about important court issues. You can find it under “Justice on Trial” at www.democracyrisingpa.com.
Unlike virtually every judicial candidate at the state level, Judges Chronister, Dorney, Linebaugh, Renn, Snyder and Thompson have all not answered the questions.
What a shame. Who is more qualified to talk about improving our court system than judges? If the judges won’t talk about the issues, how are voters to make sound judgments on Election Day?
We have given the judges two invitations to respond without success. We hope this third invitation will inspire a public discussion about court reform issues.
Tim Potts, Co-Founder
Democracy Rising PA
Carlisle, PA
I have been paying close attention to judge Chronister a little over a year now. I have been very ipressed with his fairness in the court room.
I would like to know where he stands on certain issues.
Judge Chronister is in fact my grandpa. I found transcripts online from some of his cases. I agree that he is great at what he does, although it may be a little bias. :-)