There are four contenders battling for three vacant spots on the York County Court of Common Pleas, created by retirements. Judges in Pennsylvania are chosen or retained for ten-year stints, earning an annual salary of $178,686. The ballot box will be familiar territory on November 7. To present some insight into the candidates’ prospective tenures, we have encapsulated their answers to key questions, listing them in alphabetical order.
Amber Anstine Kraft, a 42-year-old Republican residing in West Manchester Township, is a family law attorney at the firm, Anstine & Sparler. She particularly stands out boasting a reputable history inclusive of serving as a law clerk for Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Russel M. Nigro and York County Common Pleas Judge Harry M. Ness.
If Kraft is the chosen nominee, she pledges to incorporate three essential components into her judicial philosophy – proficiency with law, resolute dedication, and balanced temperament. She emphasizes her commitment to be level-headed, respectful, and intent on ensuring that all stakeholders have their say, a testament to her nearly two decades of experience as a lawyer.
While discussing the prevalent opioid and heroin abuse challenges in the community, Kraft positioned herself as an ardent supporter of a family drug treatment court. She believes this could facilitate immediate and follow-up care for afflicted parents, aided by staff with specialized knowledge of the disease.
Regarding the escalating concerns around domestic violence and need for protective orders, Kraft commended recent shifts in procuring temporary protective measures in York County. She highlighted the gravity of these orders, pointing out their potential to serve as crucial safeguards for victims of domestic abuse and children exposed to the same.
Kathleen Prendergast, a 54-year-old Republican and current Judge on the York County Court of Common Pleas, hails from York. She has an impressive pedagogical past as an English teacher at Dallastown Area High School and later transitioned into family law.
Prendergast’s judicial philosophy, if elected, is rooted in straightforward law application, while simultaneously acknowledging the humanistic aspect inherent in the profession. She values the dealings with the uninitiated to court proceedings.
Prendergast is of the conviction that judges need to adopt the guise of leaders to ensure sufficient services to combat opioid and heroin addiction are accessible within the community. Notably, she identifies a glaring lack of inpatient treatment centers in and around York County as a significant issue.
When queried about enhancements needed in the approach towards domestic violence cases and protective orders, Prendergast underscored the weighty implications of such orders. She emphasized the need for a threshold to be met, along with the call for sensitivity towards victims and ensuring they have a satisfactory safety plan in place.
Clyde Vedder, springs from Spring Garden Township as a 62-year-old Republican. He brings to the plate years of experience as a partner and trial attorney at Morris & Vedder, along with his role as a court-appointed chairman of Boards of Arbitration.
For Vedder, his substantial 35-year legal career has been driven by an undying ambition to bring about a positive difference in people’s lives. If selected as a judge, he plans to implement this drive in his services, espousing impartiality, and an unwavering commitment to justice. His ruling ethos will see his personal views cast aside in favor of a strict adherence to the law.
Vedder presents an all-encompassing approach to deal with the opioid and heroin addiction menace plaguing the community. He views the issue as one requiring an expansive, multifarious solution and pledges increased collaboration between medical professionals, law enforcement and educators. ‘A strong anti-drugs message needs to be put out’, Vedder emphasized.
Focusing on domestic violence cases and protective orders, Vedder supports the trend the local Judiciary appears to be following. He has unreservedly committed to work towards securing the people of York County from all forms of domestic violence and abuse.