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Pocono News Section
Burke Replaces Muroski as President Judge
Burke Replaces Muroski as President Judge - Monday, January 4, 2010 at 5:55PM EST
Reported by: Andy Mehalshick
Monday, Jan 4, 2010 @ 05:55pm EST
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY -- The new year starts with some new faces at the Luzerne County Courthouse. 2009 held a dark cloud over the county. Three judges, a county commissioner and several other officials were all nabbed in a federal probe. Now the county is looking to the future.
Judge Thomas Burke was sworn in Monday to another 10-year term on the Court of Common Pleas. He got the support of people last November. He also got the support of his fellow judges Monday when they voted for him to be President Judge. He will succeed Judge Chester Muroski.
Muroski took over the operations of the court when the judicial scandal broke last January. Burke says he will maintain the policies set up by Muroski with the ultimate goal being restoring trust in the courthouse.
"I remain completely dedicated to helping restore trust and confidence in our court. I'm inspired by the support of my colleagues. I value their commitment to pursue those same objectives," said Burke.
Judge Burke takes over a court that is undermanned and faces a huge backlog. But he believes a team effort and public support will help him navigate the ship through this corruption storm.
"There are an awful lot of people who have committed themselves to helping restore the citizens' trust and confidence in all of our institutions, not just the courts all of county government," added Burke.
The Luzerne County court system is still down a total of four judges. First is the seat vacated by Mark Ciavarella. Also the seat of ex-judge Ann Lokuta remains in limbo as she fights to be reinstated. Recently Judge Peter Paul Olszweski was not retained by the voters and last week Judge Michael Toole's agreed to plead guilty and will have to resign. | | |
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