Celebration held for new Carbon judge
MARY TOBIA/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS Wayne Nothstein, left, Carbon County Commissioner, Tom Gerhard, former Carbon County Commissioner, Steve Serfass, newly elected Carbon County Judge, Doyle Heffley; chairman of the Carbon County Republican Committee, Dave Argall; PA state senator 29th district, and Mike Sofranko; vice chairman of the Carbon County Republican Committee and newly elected mayor of Jim Thorpe, attended an open house in honor of Serfass. He will take on the responsibility of a ten-year term as a Carbon County judge beginning next week.. Approximately 95 people attended the evening event that was held in the banquet room at the Palmerton Hotel.
The Carbon County Republican Committee held an informal, victory celebration and open house in honor of Carbon County's newest judge, Steven R. Serfass.
Serfass of Palmerton defeated fellow Republican Gregory Mousseau of Jim Thorpe in the May primary election, then went on to defeat Democratic opponent Carole Wildoner-Walbert of Jim Thorpe in the November general election to become Carbon County's newest judge.
Approximately ninety-five well-wishers filled the banquet room at the Palmerton Hotel located on Delaware Ave to visit with and congratulate Serfass on his win.
Light refreshments were served during the evening event.
"We want to thank all of you here tonight for the hard work you did to get Steve elected. It was a tremendous campaign and a great victory," said Doyle Heffley, chairman of the Carbon County Republican Committee.
"It has been a years worth of campaigning and I thank you for the support you have show," said Serfass.
"I will work hard to protect the values of our families and our communities. I will devote myself to be firm and fair in the administration of justice," stated Serfass.
Serfass is one of the youngest judges to ever be elected in Carbon County.
"I have known Steve for over twenty years. He will make an excellent judge, he has common sense, good ethics and good moral values," said Larry Yeakel, executive board director of the CCRC.
" From the time he started working for lawyer Martin Phillip many years ago my brother wanted to become a judge. He thought he would be a good fit and I know he will," added family member Lisa Haydt.
"We support him all the way and he will be a great judge.," added Steve Redash, Panther Valley chairman of the CCRC.
Serfass is a native of Parryville and had been a lawyer for 14 years. He has been working side by side with his wife attorney Jenny Cheng at Serfass & Cheng Law Office in Palmerton. Cheng will continue to operator the family firm.
The public is invited to attend the ceremony on January 4, 2010 at 10 a.m. in courtroom No.1 in the Carbon County Courthouse, Jim Thorpe.
At this time, President Judge Roger Nanovic II will swear in Steven R. Serfass as the 18th judge of the Carbon County Court of Common Pleas.
