Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier is retiring after 35 years.

His last day is May 31. He chose that day because he wanted to finish out the month, having been sworn into office May 2, 1986, after being appointed by former Gov. Dick Thornburg.

While Ferrier, 67, of Wayne Township, said he will miss serving the public, he wants to spend time with family and relish retirement.

“The only state I’ve never been in is Alaska,” he said, adding he traveled a lot with family when younger.

He wants to take his two 20-year-old grandchildren to Hawaii. Enjoying his golden years with his wife, Diane, who he has been married to for 48 years, is also a priority. He has one daughter. He was born in Pottsville.

Before his current role, Ferrier was an Orwigsburg police officer. The prompting of Lester Reber, the then district magistrate, started his current career. Reber was retiring. However, his retirement was short-lived because he died a year or so later, he said.

Ferrier notified Gov. Tom Wolf’s office he was retiring in March, something he is required to do. A senior judge will assume the duties until someone is appointed by Wolf and confirmed by the state Senate.

He didn’t envision being a magistrate for 35 years. He only once had someone run against him. The district covers 15 boroughs and townships, Auburn, Cressona, Landingville, New Ringgold, Schuylkill Haven, Orwigsburg and Port Clinton boroughs and North Manheim, South Manheim, West Brunswick, East Brunswick, West Penn, Wayne Township, Deer Lake, Walker townships. On average, 500 to 550 criminal, 400 to 500 civil, 100 landlord/tenant, 500 to 700 nontraffic and up to 8,200 traffic cases are filed in the office each year. Ferrier said the hardest cases to preside over are those involving alleged offenses involving children.

“It’s moving real quick,” he said of the days toward retirement. When asked how he wants to be remembered, Ferrier said that he was “just trying to do a good, fair job.” He is proud of his staff.

The next person who becomes magistrate “needs to be a full-time district judge and needs to be there to do the job properly,” he said.

Moving out of Schuylkill County isn’t an option.

“I will be here till the end,” he said.

Both Democratic and Republican leaders laud Ferrier.

Howard Merrick, chairman of the Schuylkill County Republican Committee, praised Ferrier for his dedication.

“He’s done a great job,” he said.

Hugh Reiley, chairperson of the Schuylkill County Democratic Committee, said Ferrier was a “very fair and impartial magistrate who served the people of his district very well.”

State Sen. David Argall said he will make a recommendation to the governor after receiving one from the Republican and Democratic committees. Merrick said Republicans interested may submit a resume to the Schuylkill County Republican Committee, 362 S. Centre St, Pottsville, 17901. Democrats interested should send resumes to 610 W. Market St. Pottsville, 17901. A deadline was not provided.