York County Court of Common Pleas Judicial Debate to be Held on October 23, 2009 at the York College, Performing Arts Building
York, PA (PRWEB) October 15, 2009—Candidates Chuck Patterson, Kathleen Prendergast, Harry Ness, and Sandra Thompson will participate in a non-partisan debate at the York College, Life Sciences Building from 7:00pm to 9:00pm on October 23, 2009.
Guest moderator for the debate will be Muriel Anne Crabbs, Esq., an attorney from Hanover and member of the York County chapter of Campaign for Liberty. This will be the first and only time all four candidates will take to the podium together to establish their platform to the general public. Voting to fill the two vacancies in York’s Court of Common Pleas takes place on November 3, 2009.
The debate participants include:
Mr. Chuck Patterson has two decades experience as a prosecutor, serving as Chief Deputy Prosecutor for the Office of the District Attorney of York County. He has conducted over 400 criminal jury trials, including approximately 40 homicide cases with a conviction rate of over 80%.
A graduate of Oberlin College in Oberlin, Patterson attended law school at Indiana University School of Law in Bloomington, Indiana. After graduation, he became legal counsel to Vision of Hope, Inc., a faith-based community improvement organization and was also legal counsel for the Goodridge Business Resource Center. Patterson focuses his efforts on providing legal assistance to individuals and families.
Kathleen Prendergast has been practicing law in York County for 14 years. After graduating York Suburban High School she earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Penn State University, a master’s degree in English education from New York University, and a law degree from George Mason University School of Law.
Ms. Prendergast has been active in community involvement for many years. She is a past chair of both the Family Law Section and the Woman and Law Section of the York County Bar Association. She co-chaired the 2004 Transition Team for the York County Commissioners, which used community volunteers to provide an overview of county functions. Ms. Prendergast was a member of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of York and a past board member of the Junior League of York and Atkins House. She has also volunteered with the Penn Laurel Girl Scout Council, York Little Theatre, Crispus Attucks Youthbuild Program, St. Patrick Church, and other community groups.
Harry Ness, a native of York County, has over thirty years of trial experience with emphasis in criminal prosecution, defense, and all phases of family law. A graduate of Waynesburg University, he went on to attend Vermont Law School and graduated cum laude. During his time at Vermont Law School Mr. Ness received the American Jurisprudence Award for Evidence and Admiralty. While working as an Assistant District Attorney, Mr. Ness was appointed Assistant City Solicitor during John Krout’s term as Mayor of York City.
Mr. Ness is a member of Road Dogs, a motorcycle enthusiast club, which is involved in charitable work. The group was responsible for a donation of new motorcycles to the York City Police, donations to the Agricultural Museum of York, and toy donations for the children at ACESS York.
Sandra Thompson was born on April 4, 1968 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She attended York College of Pennsylvania in 1986, graduating in 1990 with a Degree in Business. Ms. Thompson’s private practice focuses on Domestic Violence, Family Law, Criminal Law, General Civil Practice from Housing to Employment, Small Business and Zoning.
Thompson’s background includes being appointed as York County Assistant District Attorney where she successfully prosecuted cases from Homicide to traffic violations. She was also an attorney for Mid Penn Legal Services where she assisted impoverished clients in domestic violence, family, housing, and SSI, and employment matters and a former female offender probation officer. She has also mentored and counseled dependent and delinquent juveniles; counseled and provided educational therapy to special needs children. Community involvement includes serving on Boards of Neighborhood and Community Assoc.; Organized Community Programs geared toward crime prevention and education
This non-partisan debate is co-sponsored by York County Campaign For Liberty and the York College Republicans. The Young Republicans of York County will also be sponsoring a reception at the Yorktowne Hotel immediately following the debate.
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