From staff reports
MIDDLEBURG - Middleburg resident Bernadette "Bernie" Schwalm has announced her candidacy for Magisterial District Judge in Snyder County District Court 17-3-04, according to a release issued by the candidate.
According to the release, Schwalm is one of several candidates vying for the position that is currently held by the Honorable Willis Savidge, who will be retiring after serving this district for 24 years.
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Bernadette Schwalm
Schwalm said she has a well rounded perspective on the position of Magisterial District Justice as a result of her over 20 years of experience in both social work and law enforcement. She said in her position as a social worker and probation officer she prided herself in being fair and listening to both sides of a situation before recommending a course of action. The release states she intends to continue this practice of fairness, if elected.
Schwalm graduated from Penn State University with a B.S. in Administration of Justice in 1986. The release states she has worked as a caseworker for Children and Youth Services in both Schuylkill and Snyder counties. She said she was also a legal assistant with the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs. Schwalm has worked in the department that investigates complaints and prosecutes licensed professionals.
She was a probation officer with the Snyder County Probation Department for 12 years, the release indicates. In addition to her regular duties of supervising criminal offenders in the probation department she developed a drug prevention program to include three videos regarding drug use and its effects, according to the release. These videos were shown to juvenile offenders and their parents, civic organizations and schools.
Schwalm is also a camp counselor for the Susquehanna Valley Law Enforcement Camp Cadet program, which is run by the Pennsylvania State Police, Troop F., Milton Barracks, the release states. This is a weeklong camp for boys and girls between the ages of 12 and 15 who want to educate themselves about the many different law enforcement careers, the release indicates.
Schwalm has been married to her husband Donald for over 24 years. She said he has owned D&B Insurance Agency in Middleburg for over 15 years.
She enjoys camping with the Holiday Rambler RV club and spending time with her two rescued boxers, Thelma and Louise, who are now seasoned campers as well.
