Sharbel Koorie Announces Run for District Justice

Lifelong Easton resident Sharbel Koorie has announced his intention to run for magistrate of District Court 03-2-05, which was left vacant by the sudden passing of District Justice Gay Elwell earlier this month on Dec. 3.

At a press conference held at his home on South Ninth Street, accompanied by his wife and four children  along with four generations of his family, the Easton native said living in the West Ward and his day-to-day experience with residents and business owners gives him a clear perspective of the issues that face the city.

Currently, Koorie is employed as a city code inspector. He also operates a disc jockey business, is  landlord for a number of properties on the block on which he lives and is in the process of converting the former Northampton Glass building into a restaurant.

“This job requires a person who is able to understand the issues before them and make judgments based on the facts presented in each case,” he said. "“I’ve lived it here. Our neighborhoods have had murders, shootings, accidents involving loss of life, thefts, fires, vandalism, graffiti, domestic violence, carjacking, and the list goes on. Growing up in this type of neighborhood, you really learn to understand how things work and why."

Koorie said that he plans to be knocking on doors and meeting with constituents to ask for their vote.

“We need someone who will understand the issues and are able to read the people before them to make the right decisions when needed. I’m the person who has that unique insight of the issues that come before a district judge,” Koorie added.

District Court 03-2-05 covers Wards 1 through 6 in the City of Easton, which includes the Downtown district, as well as College Hill and a portion of the West Ward.

The court is currently being covered by retired local district judges.

While it's still possible, it seems unlikely that Governor Tom Corbett will appoint someone to fill Elwell's vacant district.

Koorie, along with any others that may vie for the magistrate position, will first go through the primary election on Tuesday, May 21. While judges are technically non-partisan, this step will whittle the possibilities down. Those who win in the primary will go on to the general election in November, and a new magistrate is likely to be sworn in in January 2014.

Updated at 11:24 a.m. to correct election details and at 11:50 a.m. to add photo.