LLocalocal GGUIDEUIDE + Auditor + + District Attorney + + Borough Council + + District Judge + + Common Pleas Judge + + Prothonotary + + Constable + + Register & Recorder + + Coroner + + School Director + + County Commissioner + + Supervisor + + County Controller + + Tax Collector + Tuesday, May 12, 2015 2 GETTYSBURG TIMES • TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015 From the editor’s desk... Welcome to the Gettysburg Times You may be familiar with some were sent the same questionairre viewed on the county website, ad- sure to visit your polling place on 2015 Primary Election Guide. of the candidates in this special sec- and asked to complete it and send a amscounty.us. May 19. I am excited that there has been so tion. Others you may be introduced picture. I am thrilled that so many of I also encourage you to visit the much interest in this year’s election. to for the fi rst time. the candidates accepted the offer to Gettysburg Times’ YouTube chan- There have been public debates It is our hope that this guide helps help voters get to know them. nel and watch the debates refer- between candidates for commis- you to make an informed decision Some have asked me if the Times enced above in their entirety. sioner, Court of Common Pleas when you go to the polls on May 19. will be printing sample ballots. Un- The best way you can have a say Alex J. Hayes, Judge and Gettysburg Area School All candidates for county, mu- fortunately, due to space, this is not in what happens in your community Gettysburg Times District Board of Education. nicipal and school board offi ces possible but sample ballots can be is by voting for our leaders, so be managing editor Christina M. Simpson Matthew E. Teeter Shawn Wagner Party: Cross-fi led Republi- Party: Republican and Party: Filed on both ballots can and Democrat Democrat (cross-fi led) (Republican and Democrat) Offi ce seeking: Judge of the Offi ce seeking: Judge, Court Offi ce seeking: Judge, Ad- Court of Common Pleas of Ad- of Common Pleas of Adams ams County Court of Common ams County County, Pennsylvania Pleas Age: 44 Age: 36 Age: 53 Education: Juris Doctor, Education: Gettysburg Education: Susquehanna The Dickinson School of Law High School (1996), Pennsyl- University 1984, BA in Eco- (1996); Bachelor of Arts cum vania State University (B.A. nomics and Political Science, laude, Mount St. Mary’s Col- 2000), Temple University Bea- Graduated Magna Cum Laude; lege (1993); Gettysburg High sley School of Law (J.D. 2003) Dickinson School of Law, J.D. School (1989); Family Media- Professional Experience: 1987 tion training through Lancaster Attorney, Teeter, Teeter & Professional Experience: Mediation Center. Teeter (2003 – present): Han- Adams County District Attor- Professional Experience: dles most types of cases/legal ney’s Offi ce: Elected District 18 years of diverse courtroom matters, including divorce, cus- Attorney of Adams County experience in all divisions of tody, support, civil litigation, for three terms 2004 – 2015: the Adams County Court of juvenile, adoption, guardian- Longest serving DA in Ad- Common Pleas. Admitted to Simpson ship, estate planning, for-profi t Teeter ams County recent history, Wagner the Bar of the Supreme Court and nonprofi t businesses, zon- Four fi rst-degree murder trial of Pennsylvania, Court of Ap- ing and land use, commercial convictions, Leading role in peals of Maryland and the vocate, especially for those and residential leases, real es- me that, with few exceptions, starting Adams County Chil- situation is monumental and United States Middle District who need a strong voice to tate contracting and settlement a person’s contacts with a dren’s Advocacy Center, Ob- makes the experience level of Court. Prosecuted hundreds of speak for them within the con- and more; Solicitor, Bonneau- Judge occur at signifi cant, and tained death penalty conviction candidates a critical factor in criminal cases while serving as text of our justice system. I ville Borough Zoning Hearing often diffi cult, times in his or against the killer of WCO Da- the judicial election. Adams County Assistant Dis- would like to serve as Judge to Board (2006 – present); Assis- her life, and that the decisions vid Grove: fi rst death penalty As a prosecutor with 28 trict Attorney from 1997-2001 continue that work and resolve tant Solicitor, Adams County made by Judges almost always sentence in Adams County in years of courtroom experience, and was an integral part of cre- disputes fairly and effi ciently. Children & Youth Services have lasting effects on the lives 50 years, First Adams County I stand ready, from day one, to ating the fi rst county-wide pro- Over the past 18 years, I have (2015); Professional Affi lia- of the people who come before District Attorney to be elected serve as a county judge. I am tocol for prosecution of domes- had the privilege of speak- tions/Committees: Pennsylva- the Court, and on their families as President of the Pennsylva- prepared to make those diffi cult tic crimes, while serving on the ing on behalf of many Adams nia Bar Association: Family and communities. nia District Attorneys’ Associ- decisions and to provide lead- Domestic Violence Task Force Countians, including abused Law Section; Adams County It is extremely important that ation, Started permanent medi- ership from the bench on even and the Pennsylvania District and neglected children, victims Bar Association: Family Law a Judge overseeing these cases cation collection drop boxes the most serious, unforeseen, Attorney’s Association’s Child of crime, and senior citizens Committee, Family Law Rules should be a person of integrity, to curtail prescription drug and legally complex cases we Abuse Coalition. Joined the who needed the protection of Committee, Legal Aid and Re- with experience and knowl- abuse, Started Internet Crimes may encounter here. I have per- fi rm of Gates & Gates, P.C. in a guardian. As a mediator, I ferral Committee, Law Library edge of the relevant law. A Against Children Task Force, sonally handled thousands of 2001 and litigated cases in the help families resolve disputes Committee, Adams County Judge should also possess the Started Adams County Crisis cases, including more than 150 Civil, Criminal, Family, Or- amicably and I believe those Juvenile Dependency Court appropriate temperament for Intervention Training Initiative jury trials – the most complex phans and Juvenile divisions skills have a valuable place in Team, Adams County Chil- the position, a strong work eth- Pennsylvania Offi ce of At- types of cases overseen by our of the Adams County Common our justice system. As a Di- dren’s Roundtable ic and commitment to the law torney General, Senior Deputy county court system. Pleas Court and in the Pennsyl- vorce Master and Arbitrator, I Why are you running for over personal views or biases. Attorney General 1993 – 2003: As District Attorney, I have vania Superior Court. Served am entrusted by the Court to offi ce? I have deep roots in Ad- I have represented clients Assigned to Drug Strike Force worked to keep Adams County on the Board of Directors of hear and resolve civil and fam- ams County, and I care deeply in every type of case that can Section, Investigated and safe and to preserve the excep- the Adams County Bar Asso- ily law cases. I have prosecuted about its future. I am commit- come before the Court, but the prosecuted major drug traf- tional quality of life we enjoy ciation, Survivors, Inc., Adams hundreds of criminal cases and ted to making a positive impact focus of my practice is on the fi cking organizations, Utilized here. I have been both tough on County S.P.C.A., Novis, Inc., conducted hearings and trials on Adams County for this and types of cases currently over- electronic surveillance and an crime and proactive in educa- and the Adams County Chil- on a variety of issues in ev- future generations. I have seen seen by the two Judges retiring investigating Grand Jury, Su- tion and prevention efforts. I dren & Youth Advisory Board. ery one of our courtrooms. I the lasting impact our justice at the end of 2015, including pervised undercover agents have passionately advocated Has owned and operated Simp- believe that my 18 years of system can have on the people, family law, Juvenile Court, Or- in major drug investigations, for victims and their families, son Law Offi ce since 2011, a diverse experience spanning businesses and communities of phan’s Court and civil cases. Prosecuted fi ve major drug working to ensure they re- general practice fi rm with a Civil, Criminal, Juvenile, Fam- Adams County, and know I can With a calm demeanor and rings in Adams County ceive the justice they deserve focus on family law mediation. ily and Orphans Court divi- make the greatest positive im- even temper, I encourage cli- Philadelphia County District and the support they need to Currently appointed by the Ad- sions, coupled with my skills pact as Judge. ents and opposing counsel to Attorney’s Offi ce, Assistant heal and move forward. My ams County Court as a Divorce as a family law Mediator and My grandfather, Daniel Tee- approach issues in a practical District Attorney 1991 – 1993: commitment to protecting our Master and as attorney for chil- Divorce Master have properly ter, opened his law fi rm in Get- and objective manner to reach Assigned to Special Assault most vulnerable victims – our dren in high-confl ict custody and uniquely prepared me to tysburg in 1937, and served as a fair resolution without undue Unit, Prosecuted felony child children – is evidenced by matters. Currently serves on serve Adams County as one of District Attorney from 1948 delay and expense.