Family matters for elected officials
Traci McDonald-Kemp is sworn in Monday as a district judge by Judge Valarie Costanzo at Washington County Courthouse.
Joy Schury Ranko is sworn in as prothonotary Monday by President Judge Katherine B. Emery at the Washington Courty Courthouse.
In this 2016 file photo, Frank Scandale is sworn in as clerk of courts by Judge Valarie Costanzo at Washington County Courthouse.
As Washington County District Attorney Gene Vittone was taking the oath of office administered by Washington County Judge John F. DiSalle Monday morning, his thoughts turned to his mother, Mary Ann, who died Sunday.
“She is here,” Vittone said after the short ceremony that also marked the swearing-in of newly elected county officials and district judges at Washington County Courthouse. Vittone was accompanied by his wife, children, father and other family members.
The three county commissioners, county treasurer, coroner, clerk of courts, register of wills and prothonotary were sworn in during a second ceremony. Both programs began with the presentation of the colors by Marine Corps League Washington County Detachment 1138.
“It is a great day in Washington County,” said former Washington County commissioner Bracken Burns, who delivered the introductions at the beginning of both ceremonies.
Vittone, a Republican beginning his second term of office, said he has a clear vision of how he wants to proceed.
“We are going to continue to improve on the things we have accomplished in the first four years,” Vittone said.
In particular, Vittone said his main mission remains aggressively dealing with the effects of drugs.
“The main thing is addressing the impact of heroin and the prescription drug problem in the county,” Vittone said. “We will work with all our partners to stop the devastating impact on the county and the nation.”
Among those who packed the courtroom for the ceremonies were family members and friends of Traci McDonald-Kemp, a former Washington County deputy district attorney who was sworn in for a six-year term as a district judge by Washington County Court Judge Valarie Costanzo, who formerly held the district judge post.
McDonald-Kemp said having Costanzo swear her into office held particular significance because the two have known each other for decades.
“We met each other when we were young girls in dance school,” said McDonald-Kemp, a Democrat.
McDonald-Kemp said she aspires in her new post to “discharge my duties with the utmost integrity and treat the public with respect and fairness.”
Jim McDonald, McDonald-Kemp’s father, said he is proud of his daughter’s accomplishments.
“She has done a tremendous job,” McDonald said. “It is a sad thing that her mother is not here to help her celebrate.”
McDonald said his wife, Joan McDonald, died 23 years ago.
Washington County Commissioner Larry Maggi, who is beginning his fourth term of office, is ready to get to work.
“I want to continue what we started,” said Maggi, a Democrat.
Maggi aims to keep taxes low, continue initiatives to ensure growth in Washington County, be mindful of the environment and make the county a safe place “to live, work and play.”
Smart growth also is a priority for Maggi.
“I want to make sure we are not like a concrete jungle,” Maggi said. “The county has a charm, and I don’t want to lose it.”
Commissioner Harlan Shober said job growth is a priority.
“We want to try to look for ways we can bring businesses in and keep our kids here,” said Shober, a Democrat beginning his second term.
Diana Irey Vaughan, a Republican first elected in 1996, is the longest serving commissioner in Washington County history.
“I feel very honored and very blessed,” Irey Vaughn said. “It is a privilege to serve, and I never thought when I took office I would be serving this long.”
Irey Vaughan said the county experienced a lot of changes in the past 20 years, and she has many ideas to move the county forward.
Other officials sworn in Monday included two new row officers, Prothonotary Joy Schury Ranko and Clerk of Courts Frank Scandale.