Washington County schedules swearing-in ceremony for Jan. 2
A new county judge and a first-time district magistrate will take oaths of office at a ceremony scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Washington County Courthouse.
Master of ceremonies Bracken Burns, former Washington County commissioner, and President Judge Katherine B. Emery will welcome the public to her Courtroom No. 1, and attorney Jim Haines of Monongahela will sing the national anthem.
Emery will administer the oath of office to Brandon Neuman of North Strabane Township, as the sixth member of the Washington County bench. Neuman will be replacing Damon Faldowski, a gubernatorial appointee who wraps up his term at the end of this year. Before taking his seat as a Washington County judge, Neuman served as a state legislator from the 46th District, which includes Washington and Canonsburg.
Administering the oath of office to magistrate-elect Jesse Pettit will be Judge John DiSalle. Pettit, a resident of Venetia, will be presiding over the magisterial district that includes his home community of Peters Township plus Union, Nottingham and Finleyville.
The office is based in McMurray.
District Judge Mark Wilson of Monongahela will also take the oath of office for his third, six-year term. The district, in addition to the incumbent’s home community, includes Carroll Township, Donora and New Eagle.
Choosing to have private swearing-in ceremonies are incumbent county officeholders Debbie Bardella, recorder of deeds; Michael Namie, controller; and Samuel Romano, sheriff; plus incumbent district judges Jay Weller of North Strabane and Gary Havelka of Hanover Township.
A reception with light refreshments in the judges’ law library, also on the second floor of the courthouse, will follow the ceremony.