Southern York County Life

After 18 years, Vera Heilman retiring

Serving as a district judge, Vera Heilman has seen her share of traffic violations, DUIs, bad checks and retail theft. And now, she is ready for a break. The 55-year-old resident of Springfield Township is retiring after 18 years on the bench.

"Right now, I have no plans other than I want to be a full-time grandma,” she said. “I want to be able to participate in my grandchildren’s lives without checking my schedule.”

While her children are proud of the work she has done, they will be happy to have her more involved in their lives, Heilman said. As district judge, she oversaw cases from Glen Rock, Jacobus, Loganville, New Freedom, Railroad and Shrewsbury boroughs, as well as Shrewsbury and Springfield townships. Last year, she handled more than 4,500 cases.

Born and raised in southern York County, Heilman is mother to two and grandmother to three. After graduating from Susquehannock High School, she worked at Smith Village and York Bank and Trust before joining the staff of former district justice James Reedy.

She worked as Reedy’s secretary for 13 years. When Reedy decided to retire in 1987, he encouraged Heilman to run for the position. Heilman took the certification course necessary to become a district judge, campaigned and won. She was elected to the first of her three six-year terms in 1988.

“Mr. Reedy was such a big influence,” she said. “I saw how he treated the people and respected the job. I wanted to follow in his footsteps.”

Duties: Over the years, Heilman has ruled on many cases. Some were tougher than others.

“The most challenging case was a homicide involving a young boy who had been killed,” she says. “His brother was charged. It was the hardest case. The community emotion was overwhelming. At times, it is hard to separate the emotional from the legal. But you have to do it.”

Along with the more difficult aspects of the job, Heilman was fortunate to have some duties which not quite so emotionally demanding.

“I did quite a few marriages over the years,” she says. “It is an upbeat part of the job. I’ve seen everything from blue jeans to traditional wedding gowns.”

According to Heilman, the best part about the job is the people she was able to meet, both good and bad.

Advice: When it comes to advice for newly elected judge, Heilman emphasized the importance of listening and being fair. Springfield Township resident Walt Reamer won the seat in the Nov. 8 election.

“Give everybody a chance,” she said. “Listen to each side and make your decision. You can’t always make the decisions that you want to make. You have to go by what the book says and the rules. But be fair and let everyone have their say.”

Heilman said she is grateful for the support given to her by the community as well as her colleagues.

“I was elected three times,” she says. “I couldn’t have done it without the community or the office staff. I wish everyone luck in the future.”

-- Reach Julie Stromberg at 854-1574 or news@yorkdispatch.com.

Source: The York Dispatch (we obtain permission for external material)
by JULIE STROMBERG
Posted by Dan Baldwin on 12/30/2005 at 11:14 AM in News

Send to a friend