Published: March 17, 2009 11:45 pm      

Magistrate seeks 5th term

PORTAGE — Galen Decort has announced that he is seeking a fifth term as district judge for District 47-3-03.

The district covers Portage, Lilly, Cassandra and Wilmore boroughs and Portage, Washington, Munster and Summerhill townships.

Decort, 54, of Portage Borough, is running on the Democratic and Republican tickets.

He has served as a district judge since first being elected in 1986.

During that time, Decort said, he has taken a special interest in educating youths. He has spoken to young people about the vehicle code during driver’s education classes, given civics lessons on the judicial branch of government and held mock trials for students.

Decort said he was instrumental in drafting a countywide program to help educate underage drinking offenders.

Decort said he provides additional services not required by a district judge, such as notary work and issuing dog licenses.

Decort belongs to various civic and charitable organizations. He is a member of Portage Rotary Club, in which he has served as president and is serving as scholarship committee chairman. He also belongs to People Helping People, an organization at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Portage that provides financial assistance to those in need.

He also is a member of the Knights of Columbus council in Portage, Benscreek Social Citizens Club, Cambria Beagle Club, Portage Pistol Club, several sportsmen’s clubs and the Regional Aviation Conservation and Recreation Association at the Ebensburg Airport.

Decort said that in the past 24 years he has proven himself by competently and professionally handling more than 35,000 cases from felonies to civil suits.

He said he has been guided by one principle: To listen carefully to all sides and to apply the law fairly, compassionately and without favoritism.

“I will remain committed to the protection of our citizens, their property and loved ones through strict enforcement of the laws,” he said.

A 1972 graduate of Portage Area High School, he attended Mount Aloysius College and IUP, and received a bachelor’s degree in criminology and sociology from the latter.

He and his wife, the former Joyce Spaid, have three children.

Bob Kunko, a longtime Cambria County deputy sheriff, announced last month that he is seeking the nomination for the office on both tickets.