The LuLac Edition #2828, February 2nd, 2015

WARDLE ANNOUNCES RUN

Magisterial candidate Tom Wardle. (Photo: Linkedin).

The race for District Magistrate in District 11-3-08 is getting a tad crowded but this latest entry is pretty intriguing. Wilkes-Barre Township Police sergeant Thomas Wardle is the latest candidate to announce for the position
Wardle has been a police officer with the Wilkes-Barre Township Police Department for nearly 20 years.
Wardle says in a release, “While working as a police officer, I interact with the public on a daily basis, whether in positive or negative situations. Using discretion, I am able to decide whether or not to make appropriate arrests, advise or refer persons to a better suited agency. These decision making processes will help in my duties as a Magisterial District Judge.”
He is a graduate of Coughlin High School, Wardle holds an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Luzerne County Community College. He went on to graduate from the Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers Academy at Lackawanna College.
Like many candidates vying for this seat he has been certified by the Pennsylvania Minor Judiciary Education Board to serve as a Magisterial District Judge. In the past some candidates had to take the course after the election. Most now are being proactive and getting the qualifications before the contests.
Wardle has lived in the Hudson section of Plains Township for over 12 years with his family. He has been a coach for Plains Little League, Plains Soccer, Plains Yankees Junior Football and CYC Biddy basketball.
It seems to me at this point that out of the all the candidates who have announced, Wardle seems to be the most well rounded and qualified. He is a police officer so he knows procedure. He has that instinct of whether a person is lying or telling the truth. He will be tough on those who need a wake up call. Plus his experience as a coach will give him the opportunity to lend some compassion to a youth that might need a better path. On the other side of that coin, he most likely could tell whether a youth is playing him or not. 
Wardle has all the qualifications for this job. Let’s hope that the voters of this District will see what he has to offer.
Other announced candidates are Joseph Spagnuolo Jr., and Joe Lakkis.