Vlasic sworn in as new Monessen district judge

By ERIC SEIVERLING
eseiverling@yourmvi.com
It took longer than expected, but former Monessen city controller Wayne Vlasic is now a certified district judge.
Vlasic, elected judge in November’s general election, was sworn into office Wednesday morning following a lengthy testing procedure — he failed his first test earlier this year — by the state’s judiciary board.
Vlasic’s second attempt at taking the test on Feb. 25 proved successful. He was notified by mail he passed.
After his swearing in ceremony at the Westmoreland County Courthouse Wednesday morning, dozens of friends, relatives, supporters and co-workers joined Vlasic for congratulatory food, handshakes and hugs at his Monessen courtroom at 303 Riverview Drive.
Food was supplied by Libby’s Dairy Bar and the Pasta Shoppe.
“It’s been a long journey,” Vlasic said while greeting well-wishers. “The test is very thorough. You’re assigned a number so (test administrators) don’t even know who took the test.”
Pennsylvania Supreme Court requires district judges who are not practicing attorneys to complete training and instruction of judiciary duties and pass an exam within nine months after being elected before they can take office.
The test includes an examination with more than 100 questions, plus four essays.
Vlasic’s certification means the Monessen District Court will have its own judge for the first time since May 2018 after the retirement of Joseph Dalfonso. Senior district judges staffed the court during the interim.
Vlasic’s seat is a six-year term.
“When Joe retired, I thought I would be able to fill his shoes with my background,” Vlasic, 62, said. “This court needs a well-rounded individual. I ran on my service to my community and to my country.”
Those in attendance agreed with Vlasic that he’s the right man for the job.
“He’s good for the community and he’s going to do a good job,” said Vlasic’s long-time friend Joe Como, president of United Steelworkers, Local 3403. “Wayne’s a family man.”
Como said he and Vlasic graduated from Monessen High School in 1975.
“I’m not surprised he made it as a judge,” Como said. “As soon as he said he was running, we endorsed him. He’s always supported labor.”
Vlasic wasn’t the only person who breathed a sigh of relief after he passed the certification test.
“It’s been very, very stressful,” Vlasic’s wife, Kathy, said at the reception. “You try to be nice about it but things don’t always happen that way. I didn’t think it was going to take this long because Wayne is a smart guy.
“He’ll be a good judge. He’s always willing to help people. He’s a fair guy and he will be fair as a judge.”