Gazette The Centre County
www.CentreCountyGazette.com
Summer Youth Fair
The Summer Youth Fair will be held on Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Mount Nittany Middle School. Inside, find a list of participants along with information about how you can make this summer a special one for your kids./Pages 15-19
February 12-18, 2015
Volume 7, Issue 6
FREE COPY
Lunsford in line to become president judge By BRITTANY SVOBODA bsvoboda@centrecountygazette.com
BELLEFONTE — Despite being under investigation, Centre County Judge Bradley P. Lunsford might soon be taking the reins as Court of Common Pleas president judge. Centre County President Judge Thomas Kistler was recently nominated by Gov. Tom Wolf to fill one of two vacancies on the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, which means his current position would be filled by Lunsford based on seniority. “It’s automatic in counties where you have fewer than eight judges that the president judge is selected by seniority,” Kistler said. Another judge cannot be elected until 2017. Until then, Kistler and Lunsford said the county will have the help of Senior Judges David E. Grine and Charles B. Brown Jr. “I intend to carry on the good stewardship of our court that Judge Kistler established, and I look forward to continue to ensure justice for each individual who enters our courthouse,” Lunsford said in an email. “No changes should be anticipated with me as president judge. Today is Judge Kistler’s day, and we are all very happy for him. I appreciate having the confidence and support of my colleagues on the bench and will strive every day to assure fairness and justice for all who rely on our court system.” Lunsford is currently under investiga-
tion by the Judicial Conduct Board of Pennsylvania. According to Centre County Solicitor Louis Glantz, it’s most likely to do with allegations of unethical behavior with the Centre County district attorney’s office. The conduct board BRADLEY P. does not comment on LUNSFORD investigations. Lunsford is also up for retention this year and his name will be on county voters’ ballot in November’s municipal election. In December, Lunsford’s duties were reassigned and he was ordered by Kistler to not hear criminal cases, with the exception of those in DUI Court, until further order. Kistler did not specify the reason for the reassignment. Gov. Tom Wolf called Kistler on Feb. 4 to inform him of the nomination. Kistler was elected to the county’s Court of Common Pleas in 1997 and has been the court’s president judge for three years. Kistler, 57, has been nominated, along with Ken Gormley, 59, a dean and law professor at Duquesne University School of Law in Pittsburgh. Pending senate approval later this month, the two will fill the seats left behind by former Chief Justice Ronald Castille, who was forced out of the court at the end of 2014 due to a mandatory re-
tirement provision that takes effect when a judge reaches the age of 70, and Justice Seamus McCaffery, who resigned last October after it was brought to light that he was involved in a pornographic email scandal. “A collaborative THOMAS process involving KISTLER leaders from the Senate led to the selection of two nominees who I believe will execute their duties with the highest standard of ethics and judicial temperament,” Wolf said in a press release. Kistler said he realized the two vacancies were available during a conversation with Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, R-Benner Township, and joked about calling him to help. A stretch of time went by when Kistler said he didn’t hear anything, but the opportunity materialized quickly. “As a lifelong member of Centre County, he has been dedicated to improving our community through his active involvement in local organizations especially those that benefit children and families,” Corman said. “He will be a welcome addition to the Supreme Court.” Corman also pointed out in the statement that Kistler will only be Centre County’s second state Supreme Court justice, behind Judge Roy Wilkinson who served
from 1981-82. As a state Supreme Court justice, Kistler’s job duties would change considerably. Instead of hearing cases in a trial setting, equipped with clients, their lawyers, evidence and sometimes a jury, which is what he currently does, Kistler would hear appeals from lawyers and do research to decide whether or not a new trial should be granted. He will also have the opportunity to help shape the law, which hasn’t previously been possible. “Every lawyer and judge in Pennsylvania has to follow the word of the Supreme Court,” he said. “But the Supreme Court doesn’t have to follow (their own rules). They can (make and change) the law. It’s a new experience and I’m really looking forward to it, even though it’ll be short term.” The vacancy Kistler will fill does come with an uncontestable expiration date of Thursday, Dec. 31. Kistler said he understands that he can’t be a candidate for the position he’ll fill come election time, and hasn’t really had an interest in running for a statewide office. At the beginning of next year, when the newly elected justice starts, however, Kistler’s plans are up in the air since he will no longer be a Court of Common Pleas judge, unless appointed by the governor. There is also the possibility, he said, that he will be appointed to serve in another county. Lunsford, Page 5
Harris Twp. Affordable housing complex eyes students accepts Lee resignation By ALEXA LEWIS
correspondent@centrecountygazette.com
By BRITTANY SVOBODA bsvoboda@centrecountygazette.com
BOALSBURG — The Harris Township board of supervisors unanimously approved the resignation of thrice-elected Christopher Lee at the Feb. 9 meeting, and now have 30 days to fill the vacancy. “It is with deep regret that I must resign effective immediately as Harris Township Supervisor,” read Lee’s mailed, handwritten letter dated Feb. 1. “Due to my unavailability to attend meetings, this action will serve the best interests of our residents by allowing CHRISTOPHER someone of the board LEE who can.” Lee, 66, has been unable to physically serve as a supervisor since his October arrest. He is currently incarcerated in federal custody and awaiting trial in April for felony charges of child sexual abuse that allegedly took place at Boal Mansion Museum, where he served as museum director and CEO. Board chairman Nigel Wilson said the township has until Monday, March 9, to fill the vacancy left by Lee and that applications from interested residents who are a registered elector and have lived in the township for at least one year will be accepted until Friday, Feb. 20. The person appointed to fill the vacancy will serve until the end of the year when voters will officially elect someone to serve Lee, Page 2 Opinion ............................. 7 Health & Wellness .......... 8, 9
STATE COLLEGE — Blue Course Commons, formerly Pheasant Glen, was an affordable housing community, but its owners are converting and marketing the property as another student living option. The accompanying rent increases will mean some tenants will have to uproot their families. “A change like this will have an immediate and long-term effect on our community,” said Jennifer Stahl, housing case manager at Housing Transitions, which offers housing services to local residents in need. “Pheasant Glen was one of an already limited number of affordable residential complexes.” The owners’ plan for the property, which is located on Blue Course Drive, to house an entirely student population within the next four years, as about 20 out of the 90 units are vacated each year, Stahl said. Commons, Page 6
ALEXA LEWIS/For the Gazette
CHANGING TIMES: Blue Course Commons, formerly known as Pheasant Glen, is currently being marketed as a student living option. The property was, at one time, an affordable housing community.
Project to improve Potters Mills Gap set to begin By BRITTANY SVOBODA bsvoboda@centrecountygazette.com
Submitted photo
IMPROVEMENT PROJECT: This is a rendering of what Route 322 will look like once construction is completed along several miles of General Potter Highway.
Education ........................ 10 Community ................ 11-14
Family Matters ................ 15 Summer Youth Fair ... 16-19
SPRING MILLS — Construction to redevelop several miles of General Potter Highway near Route 144 in Potter Township is set to begin this year. When finished, a new bridge and interchanges and the extension of Route 322’s four-lane highway through the Potters Mills Gap will reduce traffic and improve the overall safety through an area that sees tens of thousands of vehicles every day.
Sports .......................... 20-24 Valentine’s Day ............... 25
A groundbreaking ceremony took place in October near the Potters Mills V.F.W. when the project was officially announced. Former PennDOT secretary Barry Schoch said that despite the project’s young future, it has a history that dates back to the 1980s. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation estimates that 13,000 vehicles travel every day through the 3.75-mile “gap,” which is formed by Triester and Kohler mountains. Project, Page 4
Arts & Entertainment .26, 27 What’s Happening ..... 27, 28
Puzzles ............................. 29 Business ........................... 30