Re-elected DA, new row officers take their posts in Bucks County

Buck County installed its newly elected row officers Monday at the county administration building in Doylestown.

Bucks County Republican Committee Vice Chairman Joe Cullen served as master of ceremonies, "pinch hitting" for both Republican County Commissioner Gene DiGirolamo, who was attending a family funeral, and Patricia Poprik, chair of the county Republican Committee, could not attend due to COVID.

New Bucks County Sheriff Fred Harran  is sworn into office by Judge Denise Bowman with his fiancee Lisa DeSimone holding the Bible and his daughter Miranda Harran in attendance.
New Bucks County Sheriff Fred Harran is sworn into office by Judge Denise Bowman with his fiancee Lisa DeSimone holding the Bible and his daughter Miranda Harran in attendance.

DiGirolamo had been given the honor to serve as MC by the Democrat-controlled board of commissioners since all five officials who won their elected posts and were being installed are Republicans.

The ceremony, by county code, needs to take place the first Monday of the New Year, so it couldn't be postponed, as was the county reorganization meeting, which will take place at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, along with the county commissioners' first regular meeting.

Democratic Commissioner Bob Harvie introduced Cullen after noting that it takes a lot of courage, time and commitment "to put your name on that ballot" to run in a countywide election and sometimes to find out "exactly how many people don't like you," he said, drawing laughter from the audience. "Thank you for volunteering to serve your community."

Bucks County President Judge Wallace Bateman issues the oath of office to newly re-elected District Attorney Matt Weintraub as his wife, Kathleen, hold the Bible.  New Bucks County Judge Stephen Corr watches the ceremony Monday at the county administration building in Doylestown.
Bucks County President Judge Wallace Bateman issues the oath of office to newly re-elected District Attorney Matt Weintraub as his wife, Kathleen, hold the Bible. New Bucks County Judge Stephen Corr watches the ceremony Monday at the county administration building in Doylestown.

Bucks County District Attorney Matt Weintraub, the only row officer re-elected, cited a famous passage by Theodore Roosevelt about those who dared to make a difference as he was sworn into office for his second term by President Judge Wallace Bateman.

Weintraub praised the county staff members who work with him, the men and women who, in Roosevelt's words, are "in the arena."

"Our mission is not just to seek justice but to keep people safe." he said. "In Philadelphia ... some people accept violence as a a part of life there. We don't accept that here in Bucks County."

In his second term, he hopes to continue working to help first-time offenders avoid repeat crimes and to reduce gun violence and straw purchases of guns.

Weintraub, who in the previous administration, was the only Republican row officer, said there were no sides in Bucks government. "We're all on the same side to see justice for all individuals," he said.

New Prothonotary Coleen Christian was also sworn-in. Her mother and two daughters watched her be installed while her son is serving in the Army. Her father, highly decorated Vietnam veteran David Christian, and her sister could not attend because of COVID.

New Bucks County Recorder of Deeds Dan McPhillips receives congratulations from Bucks County President Judge Wallace Bateman as McPhillip's wife, Piyumika, watches during the inaugural ceremony at the county administration building Monday.
New Bucks County Recorder of Deeds Dan McPhillips receives congratulations from Bucks County President Judge Wallace Bateman as McPhillip's wife, Piyumika, watches during the inaugural ceremony at the county administration building Monday.

Dan McPhillips was sworn-in as recorder of deeds with new wife, Piyumika, by his side. He said he was grateful for the advice Weintraub gave him in running for the county office.

"I'm really excited to be your controller," said attorney Pamela Van Blunk after taking her oath, adding that she was humbled and grateful for the support she received in her run for the office that maintains oversight of the county's finances.

Newly elected Sheriff Fred Harran took the oath with his fiancee Lisa DeSimone and daughter Miranda Harran next to him. As Judge Denise Bowman prepared to administer the oath to him, he quipped that both he and his daughter recently got engaged and that perhaps he could get the judges to perform marriage ceremonies then as well.

When he moved to Bucks County from New York more than 30 years ago, he thought it was just a temporary stop but Harran said he has grown to love the county he now calls home. The former public safety director of Bensalem wants to bring the same skills that he used to make the township into a highly regarded police department nationally to other municipalities in his role as county sheriff.

New Court of Common Pleas Judge Stephen Corr was installed in a separate judicial ceremony Monday afternoon.

Though she couldn't attend the row officers' inaugural, Poprik said the day was a special one in the county.

"The voters spoke in November that they wanted these people to take these positions and now they have," she said. "With them in office, we can look forward to excellent service, open offices and effective government. Congratulations to all six as they take office."

To contact Peg Quann, email mquann@couriertimes.com.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County new row officers take posts following inaugural ceremonies