Fourth Candidate Announces Run for District Court Judge

By Christina Georgiou

Tim Prendergast

Local lawyer Tim Prendergast announced today that he intends to run for the district magistrate seat left vacant by the sudden death of Judge Gay Elwell.

With a law practice in the West Ward, Prendergast said he has extensive experience arguing a wide variety of cases in district court, as well as serving as a part-time public defender.

"It is this practical experience and knowledge and skill set that I would offer the citizens of this District, along with my love of this city and its residents and a commitment to my profession," Prendergast said.

Prendergast also cited his family's deep roots in the city, that his father and grandfather were Lafayette College graduates, and a family history of community service in a variety of roles.

"It is this commitment to serve this community that I now seek to emulate in seeking this position, and I believe that I not only have the legal knowledge necessary to perform the duties of magistrate, but the temperament, energy, compassion and commitment that this particular district requires," Prendergast said.

"This district will be best served by an experienced attorney, versed in criminal and civil procedure and the rules of evidence and capable of making the fair and appropriate decisions from day one," he added.

Prendergast said he will be knocking on doors and meeting with local residents in the coming months, asking for their votes.

Prendergast is the fourth to announce his intention to run for magistrate of district court 03-2-05, which covers the Downtown, College Hill and part of the West Ward neighborhoods in the City of Easton.

Others that have announced they will vie for the position are Easton codes enforcement officer Sharbel Koorie, Downtown attorney Antonia Grifo, and Northampton County Constable Lance Wheeler.

It is rumored that Easton City Controller Tony Bassil is also intending to run, but he has not yet made an official announcement.

It is still possible that Governor Tom Corbett might appoint someone to fill the vacant position, but this is seeming more and more unlikely as time passes. It is expected that the declared candidates will all crossfile and run in the primary election in the spring, with the final winner to be decided in the November election.