The state Supreme Court on Monday approved new boundary lines for magisterial districts in Luzerne County, paving the way for a hotly contested election in the Pittston area.
The realignment order, to be in place for 10 years, eventually eliminates the office of longtime Magisterial District Judge Gerald Feissner in Freeland. Judge Feissner's office will be phased out in January 2018 as part of a long-term plan to reduce court costs.
Following through on a plan submitted by county court officials 14 months ago, the high court changed the Pittston-based magisterial district that is up for election. The district - currently composed of Avoca, Dupont, Duryea, Hughestown and Pittston - will be expanded to include the municipalities of Jenkins Twp., Pittston Twp. and Yatesville.
The order to transform the Pittston district caused some initial confusion because the changes take effect on June 1, after the primary election.
Attorney Michael Butera, solicitor for the Luzerne County Bureau of Elections, said he believes candidates and voters from those three towns could participate in the primary election because they will be running to hold the office as it is composed in January 2014.
In its order, the Supreme Court laid out how the changes will play out when Judge Feissner's office is eliminated on Jan. 1, 2018:
- Magisterial District Judge James Dixon of Hazle Twp. will add Jeddo.
- Magisterial District Judge Daniel O'Donnell of Sugarloaf Twp. will pick up Freeland and Foster Twp.
- Magisterial District Judge Ronald Swank of Wright Twp. will get Dennison Twp., Penn Lake Park, and White Haven.
- Judge O'Donnell will lose Hollenback Twp., which will be picked up by Magisterial District Judge John Hasay of Shickshinny.
Contact the writer: bkalinowski@citizensvoice.com