Three candidates have cross-filed for a spot on the ballot for district justice for the 43-3-04 Magisterial District Court. The district covers Chestnuthill, Eldred, Polk and Ross townships. The salary for 2023 is $106,254 Incumbent Judge Colleen Mancuso is being challenged by former District Justice Debby York and Shelli Angle Bird. The Times News asked questions related to their position. Here are their responses:

Colleen Mancuso

Background: Elected as district justice in 2011. Previously, she worked in Monroe County for 11 years as an assistant district attorney, three years as a public defender and 20 years as a civil attorney specializing in divorce, custody, child support, wills, estates and real estate matters; obtained law degree from Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with a Bachelor of Arts degree in secondary education-history.

What makes you the best candidate: I am the best candidate for Magisterial District Judge because I am the only candidate that is a lawyer, and the only candidate that has not only served as the MDJ for the last 12 years, but I am the only candidate that has previously practiced in front of MDJs as a public defender, assistant district attorney and civil attorney. I have the knowledge, experience and temperament to run a courtroom and make decisions.

Why you want to be magistrate judge: I want to be re-elected as Magisterial District Judge because I love this job and the law. I enjoy applying the facts of a case to the law and reaching a decision, but increasingly people have other problems that need to be addressed such as family law issues, substance abuse problems, and mental health concerns. My years of experience as a lawyer has given me the knowledge to deal with some of these issues.

The most difficult part of being a magistrate judge and how you will overcome the challenge: It is very difficult to watch people make repetitive bad decisions which bring them into court time and time again. Whether it is expensive traffic tickets, criminal arrests or lawsuits, the failure to learn from one’s first mistake is disheartening. However, I try to provide informational resources on my office bulletin board that might address substance and mental health issues, food insecurity help, job help, emergency housing placements to list a few.

The most crucial criminal and civil issues in the district and what role you would have in these matters: Substance abuse is the overwhelming theme in almost every criminal case. From domestic abuse cases, drug delivery cases and thefts, drugs, and to a lesser degree alcohol, is involved. MDJs have no authority to send someone to rehab. We can order that a drug/alcohol evaluation be performed if the defendant is incarcerated, but then it will be up to the defendant and the Court of Common Pleas to decide if a rehab is appropriate.

Debby York

Town: Kunkletown

Background: 24 years experience and is currently certified by the Supreme Court to serve as District Judge. Debby has lived in the West End of Monroe County since she was 10 years old. She involved in Rotary, Western Pocono Library, West End Fair Assoc. as well as Eldred Twp Planning Comm and Historical Society.

What makes you the best candidate: I can offer an independent judiciary and that makes me the best candidate.

Why you want to serve as magistrate judge: I have previously been a district judge for 24 years. I love helping people. My parents had 64 foster children while I was growing up and this made me familiar with the legal system, domestic abuse, alcohol and drug abuse. I realize these problems affect the whole family, not just the defendant who is in front of me.

The most difficult part of being a magistrate judge and how you will overcome the challenge: Crimes against children is definitely the most difficult part of being a district judge. The way to overcome that challenge is to make sure each case is judged fairly and independently.

The most crucial criminal and civil issues in the district and what role you would have in these matters: I believe domestic issues fits both of those issues. For instances if the spouse go to jail and was working the family no longer has income. If there are children in the relationship then the other parent has to go to work, if the rent is paid you’re going to see the family for a landlord tenant issue

Shelli Angle Bird

Candidate did not respond to questions from the Times News or on the vote411.org site. According to her Facebook page she is a resident of Saylorsburg.