Judges Fred Miller, 52, and Dave Consiglio, 56, were sworn in by Senior Judge Timothy M. Sullivan to fill two open spots on the Blair County Court of Common Pleas.

Dave Kessling, 62, was sworn in as a new commissioner and is expected to serve as chairman of the board beginning Tuesday alongside incumbent commissioners Amy Webster and Laura Burke, who will both begin their second terms.

Miller thanked voters for giving him the opportunity to serve in the Blair County Court of Common Pleas after serving more than two decades as a magisterial district judge.

He said he remembers his first day of law school at Dickinson College in Carlisle, during which he showed up wearing flip flops, shorts and a baggy T-shirt.

New Blair County Judge David Consiglio is helped with his robe by his wife, Lisa Consiglio, after being sworn in at Courtroom No. 1 at the Blair County Courthouse on Friday afternoon. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

“We were in the classroom, and 180 students were dressed professionally to the T. They said look to your left, look to your right, and one of you will not be here in three years. I think the entire class was looking at me,” he said.

“I went home to my apartment, and Mom called. She said, ‘How’d the first day go?’ and I said, ‘Mom, I’m not unpacking my car yet. I’m going to see how this goes for a day or two.’ One thing led to another, and I’m here today,” Miller said.

Consiglio said he’s looking forward to handling any case that comes before him.

“We’re courts of general jurisdiction, which means anything can come before us, and I’m looking forward to that challenge,” he said. “Whatever it is, I’m going to do it to the best of my ability and hopefully as efficiently as possible.”

Consiglio spoke briefly after being sworn in as a judge. He said some occasions, like the swearing-in ceremony, leave people speechless.

Blair County Commissioner David Kessling is sworn in at Courtroom No. 1 at the courthouse on Friday. Kessling said some of the issues he would like to address include concerns about the county’s pension and pay. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

“I’m not going to use many words because words don’t justify how you feel on some occasions like this,” Consiglio said, adding he looks forward to working with his new colleagues on the bench.

“Know as we go forward, I will always keep in mind that it’s really not about us,” he said. “It’s about serving the people of Blair County. I will be looking forward to doing that first thing Tuesday morning.”

Kessling served in the United States Air Force and the Blair County corrections department for 24 years before becoming a county commissioner. He said he’s still serving as a deputy sheriff for the county.

“I’ve served all my life,” he said, adding this is the first time he’s run for public office.

Looking toward 2024, Kessling said some of the issues he would like to address include concerns about the county’s pension and pay. There are also concerns at the jail he hopes to address, he said, and noted morale is a current issue in the courthouse.

Blair County Coroner Ray Benton is sworn in at the Blair County Courthouse on Friday afternoon. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

“It’s time to begin to value our employees and appreciate all that they have done and continue to do every day,” he said.

Burke said she’s grateful to serve another term and looks forward to working with Kessling and Webster.

“I think if we do half of the things we talked about, we will be making this county a great place to work, a great place to live, and I’m really excited to get to work,” Burke said.

Webster said she hopes the tenure of all the newly sworn-in officials will be beneficial to the county’s citizens. She said serving in public office is a rewarding experience.

“During the past four years, we have worked through many challenges and made some improvements. But our new board has significant work and very weighty issues ahead of us,” Webster said. “I’m looking forward with enthusiasm to this new term in office.”

Judge Wade Kagarise will serve as the county’s president judge in 2024, replacing Judge Elizabeth A. Doyle. Kagarise will be sworn in during a private ceremony that will be held at a later time, Doyle said.

Other officials who were sworn in during Friday’s ceremony included magisterial district judges Paula M. Aigner, Andrew L. Blattenberger, Daniel DeAntonio and Benjamin Jones.

From the controller’s office, A.C. Stickel and Chief Deputy Controller Angela Wagner were sworn in.

James R. Carothers was sworn in as the county’s treasurer alongside Brenda A. Bryan as first deputy treasurer and Adam W. Drenning as second deputy treasurer.

Anita L. Terchanik will serve another term as the county’s register of wills and recorder of deeds after she was sworn in Friday.

Terchanik was sworn in along with Lisa L. Logan, first deputy register of wills and recorder of deeds; Rosemarie Bodenski, second deputy register of wills and recorder of deeds; Christine M. Weaver, deputy recorder of deeds; Susan A. Gingery, deputy recorder of deeds; Paulette M. McCabe, first deputy register of wills; and Kim M. Krumenaker, second deputy register of wills.

Ray Benton, county coroner, and Hailee Lang, chief deputy coroner, were sworn in alongside deputy coroners Terry Dellinger, Wendi Calhoun, Larry Cardone, Marcus Whiteford, Richard Brant, William Forsht, Ronald McConahy, Katherine Lytle and Robert Craig.

Among those in attendance were state Rep. Jim Gregory, R-Blair, and state Rep. Lou Schmitt, R-Blair.

Schmitt said he and Miller used to play basketball together at Mansion Park in the 1980s when they were on the same summer league team.

He said he’s confident all the new officials will do well in their county government roles.

“I don’t understand people that want elected leaders to fail for some reason,” Schmitt said. “When our elected leaders fail, we fail. So I want them to be successful because I want everyone in our area to be successful.”

Mirror Staff Writer Matt Churella is at 814-946-7520.