The Court of Common Pleas of Lebanon County is accepting applications to fill the county commissioner post left vacant by the death of Republican William E. Ames, Jr. on Dec. 28, 2021.
Pennsylvania law requires the local court to appoint a successor from the same party to fill Ames’ unexpired four-year term, which ends in January 2024.
Lebanon County’s four judges, including the president judge, will vote. According to the law, “in the event of a tie vote, the president judge will cast the deciding vote.”
The court’s Jan. 11 public notice says that applications “will not be accepted after 3:00 p.m. on Friday, February 4, 2022. No telephone calls or e-mails will be accepted.”
County Court administrator Stephanie Axarlis told LebTown that only applications received by mail or hand-delivered to her office will be accepted.
Axarlis reiterated that email and fax applications will not be considered. However, she added that applications postmarked by 3 p.m. on Feb. 4, but delivered later, will be accepted.
The court has published an application form, additional requirements, and related documents, which can be accessed on the court’s website (pdf).
Pennsylvania law also says that “the names of all candidates under consideration and any written application materials submitted by any candidate are public information and shall be made available to any member of the public upon request. The following items included in any written application materials shall not be publicly released: the candidate’s Social Security number; the candidate’s home address, personal telephone number, and personal email address; and information pertaining to the name, home address, or date of birth of children under 17 years of age.”
Axarlis added that allowed information about applicants will be released if requested, but not released automatically or posted on the court’s website.
Apply to be a Lebanon County Commissioner
Applications should be hand delivered or postmarked by 3 p.m on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022.
An application form, additional requirements, and related documents, can be accessed on the court’s website (pdf).
Applications should be hand-delivered or mailed to:
Stephanie Axarlis
District Court Administrator
Room 312
400 S. Eighth St.
Lebanon, PA 17042
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