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| Kingston Mayor Jim Haggerty |
Kingston Mayor Jim Haggerty today announced that he is a candidate for election to the office of District Judge in court 11-1-05, which serves Kingston and Edwardsville. This seat became vacant upon the retirement earlier this year of District Judge Paul Roberts, who served with distinction for twenty-nine years.
“I
look forward to bringing my two decades of community involvement as mayor to
the office of District Judge, along with my nearly twenty-seven years of legal
experience,” said Haggerty. “I believe that my experience, qualifications,
education, and background make me the best-qualified candidate to serve the
citizens of Kingston and Edwardsville in this important position.”
Haggerty
has served as Mayor of Kingston since 1998, having been elected to five
consecutive terms. At a time when local municipalities have struggled with
failing budgets and massive tax increases, Haggerty has guided Kingston to
financial success with an investment grade double A level Standard and Poor’s
credit rating, a lower earned income tax, obtaining over $11.5 million in
grants, and fully funding all municipal pension plans. He has also successfully
led important community investments and improvements including a $2.5 million reconstruction
of the Hoyt Library, design and construction of the $3.4 million central fire
station, a $1.5 million upgrade to the Kingston Pool, and over $7.5 million in
street improvements. Kingston has also been designated a Tree City USA for twenty
consecutive years.
“I
have done my best to serve with integrity, a steady hand, and a respect for all
of our citizens,” said Haggerty. “I will bring these same important qualities
to the position of District Judge.”
Haggerty
is a 1983 graduate of Wyoming Valley West, ranking first in his class of 435
students. He attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.) on a
U.S. Army ROTC scholarship, graduating with a B.S. in Management Science in
1987. He was awarded his law degree, with distinction, from Georgetown Law
School in 1990.
Haggerty
has been in the private practice of law for nearly twenty-seven years, the last
twenty-two years with his office in Kingston. His practice focuses on helping
hard-working families in Luzerne County navigate the legal system. “Although I
am a hometown attorney, I have appeared before over fifty magistrates and over
forty Common Pleas judges. I have appeared in state and federal courts in over
twenty-five counties in four states, and I have handled almost every sort of matter
a lawyer can handle. I know how an effective judge runs an effective courtroom,
and I will use that knowledge for the benefit of the citizens of Kingston and
Edwardsville.”
Haggerty
grew up in Kingston, the son of the late James and Judy Haggerty. He later
served as a Lieutenant and tank platoon leader in the Pennsylvania Army
National Guard. He was a First Honor Graduate of the Armor Officer Basic Course
at Fort Knox, KY. He is also a graduate of the Airborne Course at Fort Bragg,
NC.
“My
military experience taught me the importance of preparation, determination, and
teamwork. And after getting pushed out of a moving airplane five times by a
Green Beret jumpmaster, I am definitely prepared for any challenge.”
