According to the Allegheny County Office of Elections unofficial candidate list, Sewickley area voters have four district judge candidates to choose from in the upcoming primary election.

Joseph Bellissimo is running for the Republican nomination while candidates Michael J. Lepore, Giuseppe Rosselli and Glen Sovich have all crossfiled.

Magistrate Robert L. Ford has decided not to run for reelection and will retire at the end of the year. Ford’s district, 05-3-02, encompasses Aleppo, Bell Acres, Edgeworth, Franklin Park, Glen Osborne, Glenfield, Haysville, Leet, Leetsdale, Sewickley, Sewickley Heights and Sewickley Hills.

Here are the candidates and their responses to the election questions posed by Sewickley Herald.

Submitted by the candidates Joseph Bellissimo  

Joseph Bellissimo

Why did you decide to run for election? I became aware that Judge Ford was not running and wanted to serve my community.

What is the biggest issue that needs to be addressed? Keeping youthful offenders out of jail and from reoffending. Work with the (Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office) to get offenders into programs that will help them. Punishment should not be punitive but corrective in nature.

Why should people vote for you? I have 25 years of experience in law enforcement investigating numerous different offenses. I have seen both sides of the law and have interviewed hundreds of people during my career. This has given me a good insight into why people offend and make mistakes. I believe people deserve second chances.

Submitted by the candidates Michael J. Lepore  

Michael J. Lepore

Why did you decide to run for election? I believe it is time to rethink how the judiciary works. The magistrate level is the ideal area to begin with reform. This is where you can make a positive permanent impact on someone. I believe in alternatives to the traditional punishment/sentencing. I know I can provide these alternatives.

What is the biggest issue that needs to be addressed? I believe that the use of programming, education and training simply over punishment needs to become a viable alternative at all levels of the judiciary. A strong resourceful community will work for the benefit of everyone.

Why should people vote for you? I will bring a solution based approach to build a stronger community. I am a proven problem solver,and have worked in a bipartisan manner at several levels of government.

Submitted by the candidates Giuseppe Rosselli  

Giuseppe Rosselli

Why did you decide to run for election? To offer my 23 years of experience as a trial attorney and provide our community with a professional and neutral resource rooted in fairness, honesty, integrity and compassion.

What is the biggest issue that needs to be addressed? Diverting young offenders from the criminal justice system to allow for accountability without lifelong negative consequences. Continued development of drug and alcohol treatment resources. Providing police with 24 hour/7 days a week access for expeditated warrant processing. Addition of night court hours for working families and truancy matters.

Why should people vote for you? I have conducted more than 4,000 proceedings at the magisterial district level. I am an expert in the rules governing magisterial proceedings and evidence. I am the only lawyer running for this position. I care deeply about our community and will strive to make it a better place for all.

Submitted by the candidates Glen Sovich  

Glen Sovich

Why did you decide to run for election? It’s a natural continuation of my 26 years of police service. Every day, my community has an average of 50 police calls. This experience cannot be duplicated. When an officer arrives, there is a problem. I have become a master, in sorting out the problem, and getting to a resolution.

What is the biggest issue that needs to be addressed? Officers and magisterial district judges both need to act fairly and treat individuals that made a mistake as a human that made a mistake. Mistakes are different from recklessness or harmful actions. With 26 years of dealing with all types of situations, I am able to recognize these differences.

Why should people vote for you? As your magisterial district judge, you can be sure that I will sort out the problems and come to a fair resolution. I understand that there are bad people. It may only be one percent, but those individuals need to be held accountable for the choices they make.

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