Local candidate announcements

Attorney Tom Kistler announced Wednesday his candidacy for the Centre County Court of Common Pleas.

"I think that I came back here immediately after law school because I thought the laws and principles of Centre County were my laws and principles," he said.

Kistler is a partner in the firm Miller, Kistler, Campbell, Miller & Williams, Inc., 1500 S. Atherton St., where he handles criminal litigation cases. Kistler is also responsible for Bar Association activities and is a member of the civil litigation trial team.

A Centre County native, Kistler attended Union College for two years and graduated from the University with a bachelor's in business administration. He graduated from the Dickinson School of Law in 1982.

His professional activities include the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Criminal Procedural Rules Committee and the Pennsylvania Judicial Evaluation Commission. Kistler is also secretary for the Centre County Bar Association and a member of the board of governors.

Community activities include Keystone Legal Services board of directors, State College Area Family YMCA capital campaign executive committee member and professional giving chairman.

Kistler said integrity, experience, diligence and judicial temperament are integral for a candidate.

"My extensive experience in the courtroom and each of these appointed positions, has provided me with an opportunity to observe the qualities necessary for effectively serving as your county judge," Kistler said.

This is Kistler's first run for political office.

Attorney Charles J. Weyandt announced Tuesday his judicial candidacy for the Centre County Court of Common Pleas.

"I've exhibited honesty and integrity and I've respected adversary party attorneys of courts. Most of all, I (would) bring to the bench and understanding and love of the people," he said.

Weyandt has practiced law in Centre County since 1967, and is a partner in the firm of Dunaway, Weyandt, McCormick, Gerace & McGlaughlin, Inc., 919 University Drive. He has participated in court trials in more than 15 counties as well as in the United States District Courts, the Commonwealth Court and the Superior and Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

Weyandt has experience in numerous areas of the law, including criminal law, civil litigation, family law and real estate development.

He earned a bachelor's degree from the University, but before attending law school, worked as a laboratory glass sales engineer and a chemist. He received his Juris Doctor degree from the Duquesne University School of Law in 1967, where he was selected as outstanding member of his class.

Weyandt said his knowledge and understanding of law, coupled with a strong work ethic throughout his almost 30 years of practice, are qualities he would bring to the bench. He added that while he was a full-time law student he held a full-time job and raised a family.

His professional associations include chairman of the Centre County Bar Association's Bench-Bar Committee and membership in the Pennsylvania Bar Association.

Community activities include solicitor of the Centre County Youth Services Bureau.

"I think I bring a great deal of experience in a lot of areas of law," he said.

The primary election May 20 will determine the two judicial candidates who will run in the November general elections.

Funeral director Scott A. Sayers announced his candidacy Wednesday for Centre County Coroner.

He is a funeral director at the Dean K. Wetzler Funeral Home in Milesburg.

A Centre County native, Sayers is a 1988 graduate of the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science.

His community activities include fire chief and trustee of the Citizen Hook and Ladder Co. in Milesburg. He is also a member of the Bellefonte Undine Fire Company, Snowshoe Fire Company #6 and is a forest warden of Frenchville.

Sayers has been a licensed funeral director since 1989. He ran for Centre County Coroner six years ago, but was defeated by Kerry Benninghoff, who is now a state representative.

At age 30, Sayers cites his youth, hard work and interest in government as assets.

"I'm fully aware of what it takes to be a county coroner. You know that you are always on call, and I'm accustomed to that," he said.

Sayers added he is prepared to handle the demanding hours of the office.

"It can happen at any time of day or night in good weather or bad weather," Sayers said.

The two candidates who accumulate the most votes in the May 20 primary will participate in the November election.