District judge race heats up between Kanalis, Pelkey
CALIFORNIA – Contender for the magisterial district judge, Joshua Kanalis, is lacing his gloves for another round with incumbent William P. Pelkey, who defeated the newcomer last election. The district covers California, Coal Center, Long Branch, Centerville, East Bethlehem and West Brownsville.
“(District judge) is a job I have always wanted to do,” Kanalis noted. “I have been waiting on this for six years. You can do a lot of good for your community.”
Kanalis said he could offer “longevity” to the post and his background as a police officer and teacher.
“I’m somebody they can be proud of in office,” he said. “Look at my background. I was a union member in all of my jobs. I’m somebody on the even.”
Kanalis doesn’t pull punches as to why voters should place their bet on him either.
“Voters should vote for me because I’m the best candidate,” Kanalis said. “I’m looking forward to doing a good job. I’m not looking forward to retiring.”
A police officer and teacher in California, Kanalis said law enforcement is his “first love.”
Since his last jab at the seat, Kanalis added two degrees to his belt. He holds a bachelor of arts in political science and certification in social studies from California University of Pennsylvania, Act 120 and driver’s education certification from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and graduated from the Criminal Justice Training Center at IUP.
Kanalis explained that as a district judge “you can’t go attack something, you have to wait” for the fight. His approach is to listen first, he added.
He’d also like to start a community service program to deal with littering, allowing offenders to collect a “sense of pride” along with the garbage.
“Not everybody comes from a loving family like me,” he added. “The benefit is a win win for everybody. I want to be out there with them. Maybe even get my hands dirty. I want to follow the people. I don’t want to forget about them. Most people that come before you are from the district. I don’t want them to lose their way. Maybe I can help them out. The job is not all about sending people to jail.”
That doesn’t mean Kanalis won’t be tough. He said he would handle drug offenders differently. He wants to get them counseling, but “hold them accountable for their actions.”
Pelkey is running for re-election because frankly he likes his job.
“No question about it I enjoy my work,” Pelkey said. “I enjoy being able to express my views with the youth. I enjoy speaking to them, guiding them.”
Pelkey said education has always been “my thing” and thinks making young people “aware of consequences” deters them from committing an offense.
“I tell them to get (the information) in their cranium,” he added.
Pelkey is counting on his law experience to pack a punch.
“I know the law,” he noted. “I’m very frugal, too. I don’t want to be running a costly operation. I have been running a good fiscal operation.”
He also counts on experience.
“Experience isn’t the best teacher, it’s the only teacher,” he quoted. “My record speaks for itself. I work full time, all the time for the people.”
Pelkey is also “committed to helping senior citizens avoid being victimized by scam artists,” according to a press release from his office. He makes presentations at senior centers on the subject.
“Since first elected district judge, I am proud that I have accepted the responsibility of educating seniors about how they can take legal action to try to recover money lost to scam artists,” he stated. “I want to guide seniors and protect them by making them fully aware of what to do.”
He is an advocate for veterans, too, lobbying for improvements to military health care. He serves as state judge advocate for American Legion Post 377 in California, held the title of past commander of V.F.W. Post 6698 and former staff judge advocate for American Legion Post 391 in Fredericktown.
The three-term district judge has a minor judiciary certification from Wilson College, a paralegal certification from Pennsylvania State University, a personal and industrial relations certificate from the University of Pittsburgh and an administrative management degree from California University of Pennsylvania. He also served in the U.S. Air Force, earning the rank of Sergeant.
“I’m going on my experience, on my record,” he noted. “I want to make sure I share my wisdom. I enjoy sharing my knowledge. It’s always a pleasure providing service.”