Pesota plans to retire as magisterial district judge
Dec. 11—Longtime Midvalley Magisterial District Judge John P. Pesota won't seek reelection next year.
Pesota, 73, will turn the mandatory retirement age of 75 in 2024. If he were reelected next year, he would have to retire from full-time duty at the end of 2024.
"I know I could have run and served one year, but I really wasn't interested in doing that," Pesota said.
Pesota said he might apply for senior status, which would allow him to fill in as a part-time district judge, but wants to travel more.
A Dickson City resident, Pesota won the seat in 1999, when the position was still called district justice.
He won the Democratic and Republican nominations and replaced his friend, attorney John E.V. Pieski, who had the job 30 years.
Pesota won reelection in 2005, 2011 and 2017. The judicial district, 45-1-08, covers Dickson City, Olyphant and Throop. Magisterial district judges will earn $106,254 a year starting Jan. 1.
At least one candidate already has announced plans to seek the seat.
Attorney Christopher Szewczyk, 39, also a Dickson City resident, announced Monday he will run for the office. Attempts to reach him were unsuccessful, but he wrote on his Facebook page: "As an attorney for the last 13 years, I have handled all matters that come before a magistrate — criminal cases, civil lawsuits, traffic cases, and landlord-tenant disputes. Born and raised in Dickson City and a graduate of Mid Valley High School, I am invested in our community and its future. I would be honored to serve our community as your next magistrate."
Pesota is the second longtime incumbent magisterial district judge stepping down from full-time work at the end of next year. In West Scranton, Judge Terrence V. Gallagher must retire because he turns 75 in 2023.
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