Chelak announces run for county judge

MILFORD - Pike County Attorney Greg Chelak, planned to announce his candidacy for Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Pike County on Friday Jan. 19, at 6:30 p.m. at Ehrhardt’s Restaurant. He is seeking a second, new position on the County Court of Common Pleas to serve alongside the Honorable Joseph F. Kameen, President Judge. “Ever since I attended law school,” Chelak explained, “I have felt a strong calling to become a judge. In addition to the vast array of legal skills I have acquired during the past eighteen years of practicing law, I believe my calm and steady disposition would be effective while rendering decisions and judging from the bench.” Chelak has handled thousands of civil and criminal litigation matters in many Magisterial and Common Pleas Courts throughout Northeast Pennsylvania. He also has had extensive experience presenting appellate cases to the Pennsylvania Superior Court, Commonwealth Court and Supreme Court. He is a member of the Pennsylvania and Pike County Bar Associations and served as past president of the Pike County Bar Association. Chelak received a Bachelor of Arts from Albright College in 1985 and a Jurist Doctorate degree from the Dickinson School of Law in 1988. In 1989, Chelak began his private practice of law with the firm of Tellie, Durkin, Murphy and Piazza in Scranton. In 1990, he continued his private practice with the Hawley law firm of Borden & Farley, P.C. In 1996, Chelak and his wife, Stacey, opened the law firm of Beecher & Chelak in Milford. He has been actively engaged in the private practice of law to date. Chelak believes that the wide range and volume of his legal experience and his broad experience in local government make him uniquely qualified for the position of Common Pleas Judge. “I am mindful of the fact that since the 1970’s, when Pike County shared a judge with Monroe County, the explosive growth of our County now requires two full time Judges”, says Chelak. “As the result of my extensive municipal work and family law practice, I have a clear and realistic perception of the effect of growth on Pike County residents and the judiciary. I believe that the population growth in Pike County requires special attention to two particularly vulnerable segments of our community, namely, our youth and our elders. I intend to be firm, fair and cognizant of their needs in our judicial system as well as the perpetual need for a safe community if I am elected.” Chelak has contributed many hours of pro bono legal service to the Pike County Court System, including the representation of victims of domestic abuse and local organizations such as the Pike County Historical Society and the Delaware Valley Cal Ripken Baseball League. Chelak has served as a volunteer at the Pike County United Way Day of Caring, is a member of the Shohola Elementary School PTA and has been very active in coaching Pike County youth baseball teams for six years, including Bushkill Youth Association and Delaware Valley Cal Ripken League teams. “As a father and Pike County resident, I have continually demonstrated my strong belief in family values and community volunteerism.” Toward those ends, I am earnestly committed to safety and security in our community, and my position as Judge would be a reflection of those beliefs.” Chelak is an active member of Saint Patrick’s Church in Milford and resides in Dingman Township with his wife of 18 years, Stacey Beecher Chelak and their three sons, Christian, Corey and Clayton.