County President Judge Retiring at Year’s End
Armstrong County Court of Common Pleas President Judge Kenneth Valasek intends to retire at the beginning of 2017. He will serve as a Senior Judge thereafter.
by Jonathan Weaver
For the past 25 years, Kenneth Valasek has served Armstrong County in the Court of Common Pleas – but now “it’s time to move on.”
Valasek, 67, has informed Governor Tom Wolf that he intends to retire on January 1, 2017. In an exclusive interview with the Kittanning Paper yesterday, Valasek said he has been thinking about retirement all year before sending Governor Wolf the message last week.
Judge Valasek, originally of Ford City, recalled wanting to be a lawyer when he graduated from Ford City Junior/Senior High in 1967. He served as a private lawyer in a firm with David Suckling along North McKean Street in Kittanning from 1974 until Valasek faced Roger Mechling in the 1991 General Election and won.
Voters voiced to retain Valasek in 2001 and 2011. He served as President Judge the past nine years, succeeding now-Senior Judge Joseph Nickleach.
During the past 25 years, Valasek said the most memorable court case he sat on was the 2003 multi-day murder trial of four-year-old Kristen Tater, of Parks Township.
Similarly, the biggest difference he has seen is “how much more time the Court spending with issues concerning children.”
“We see more custody and child-dependency cases…because of the breakdown of family life everywhere,” Judge Valasek said. “I estimate now about 40 percent of my cases involve children. It’s tragic to see what I see.”
Judge Valasek will be succeeded as President Judge by Court of Common Pleas Judge James Panchik – who is also from Ford City and Valasek is “absolutely” confident in.
“(Judge Nickleach and Judge Panchik) are both hardworking men, easy to communicate with,” Valasek said. “I’ll miss the people with whom I’ve had daily contact with.”
Valasek will work part-time as Senior Judge at least through 2017, only thinking one year at a time.
The father of three and husband to wife Mary Ann – who retired in 2015 and supports the judge’s decision -, Judge Valasek looks forward to golfing, fishing, and being more involved at St. Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Kittanning – as well as possibly building a deck.
District Magisterial Judge Gary DeComo, of Ford City, said Judge Valasek “will be sadly missed by the judiciary and the people of Armstrong County.”
Judge DeComo has served in Ford City the past 23 years.
As well as being awarded the Golden Crowbar Award by the Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges in 2012 and the Professional Jurist Award by the Westmoreland Academy of Trial Lawyers in 2013, Judge Valasek prided himself on being active with the Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges – with the last three years as a co-chair - to provide continuing education for judges
Armstrong County voters will elect a new judge in November 2017.
Local News | jweaver September 7, 2016
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By jorn jensen, September 7, 2016 @ 7:50 PM
Great health and great retirement to you, Judge Valasek.
Your comment, “It’s tragic to see what I see.” is tough, true words of this area.
Thank you for your work.
By worthingtonman, September 7, 2016 @ 9:50 PM
Good riddance. This guy gave out way too many slaps in the wrist and light sentences
By gmh, September 8, 2016 @ 8:35 AM
Good riddance! Too many slaps on the wrist for druggies.