Greene County judges name late commissioner’s wife to fill his office
WAYNESBURG – Greene County judges on Wednesday appointed Judith Gardner, the widow of recently deceased county commissioner John R. Gardner, to serve in her late husband’s place until the term expires at the end of the year. Judith Gardner will be sworn in at 10 a.m. today at the county commissioners’ meeting.
“She was honored to replace her husband on the board of commissioners,” President Judge H. Terry Grimes said. “We assumed, being Mr. Gardner’s wife, that she would be somewhat familiar with the projects that were ongoing, and we assumed as his wife that he would have discussed those with her.”
Grimes and Vice President Judge William R. Nalitz met and considered about a dozen individuals to replace John Gardner, who died March 27 at the age of 68.
Both judges wanted to wait until after John Gardner’s funeral had concluded Saturday before beginning the process of selecting a replacement.
Judith Gardner’s name was submitted for consideration, and the judges contacted her Tuesday to inform her of the appointment.
John Gardner’s replacement had to be a Greene County resident and a registered Republican, Grimes said.
John Gardner had filed a petition to seek re-election as of minority commissioner, and his name still will appear on the Republican ballot during the May primary.
“The name will remain on the ballot,” Frances Pratt, director of elections and voter registration, said, citing a provision of the Pennsylvania Election Code which stipulates that a deceased candidate’s name will remain on a primary ballot unless a proper substitution takes place.
Judith Gardner’s appointment will not affect the primary in any way, Pratt said.
After her swearing-in, Judith Gardner will serve until the elected Republican commissioner takes office in January 2008.
Grimes said, “We wish her well during the next nine months of the term.”
Pam Snyder, chairwoman of the board of commissioners, said she and Commissioner Dave Coder are looking forward to working with Judith Gardner.
“In light of all of the projects that were started through this current administration, Dave and I are very pleased that Judy will be working with us in this capacity,” Snyder said. “It was a wise decision by the judges. This will be the closest way that we can give the voters what they asked for when they elected John as commissioner.”
Snyder said John Gardner was involved in many different projects while serving as commissioner, playing a significant role in the renovations of the Fort Jackson and Ben Franklin buildings, the county courthouse, and the old log courthouse, to name a few.
He also was actively involved in a variety of recent area recreational projects, including the Greene River Trail, new tennis courts and new aquatic center.