At its workshop session March 5, Coplay Borough Council heard from several of the magisterial district judge candidates who accepted an invitation to speak of their qualifications for the open seat serving the 31-1-07 Judicial District, which encompasses the borough and Whitehall Township.

All candidates present that night have passed the required certifications for the position.

Todd Heffelfinger has ties to Coplay. His father was a police officer in the borough.

Heffelfinger spent 26 years as a Whitehall Township police officer, retiring in 2015. He was a member of the patrol division and the accident reconstruction team.

“These jobs brought me into the courtroom often,” he said.

Heffelfinger presently serves as a deputy sheriff in Lehigh County.

He graduated from Whitehall High School and Lehigh County Technical Institute as a member of the Class of 1980. Heffelfinger also holds an associate degree in criminal justice administration from Lehigh County Community College. He is also a graduate of the first Pennsylvania State Sheriff’s Academy and the Allentown Police Academy.

He is a member of the Jones-Quigg American Legion Post 739, Hokendauqua, and of the Fullerton fire hall social club.

He lives in Whitehall with his wife and two children.

Alberta Scarfaro is also a candidate for the office. Scarfaro has run for the position in prior years.

She is a single parent, having lost her husband nearly 15 years ago. She raised her two children, both of whom graduated from Whitehall High School.

“I know how to be just and compassionate, and I am ready to work hard. I understand the needs of our community, and I recognize the importance of treating everyone fairly,” she said.

Scarfaro holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master of public administration degree, both from Kutztown University. She also has paralegal experience.

A resident of Whitehall Township, she has served on the Whitehall Township Zoning Board and is a member of Whitehall Rotary Club.

Ron Scholler is an Air Force veteran who enlisted before he graduated from William Allen High School. He had a distinguished service record during his six-year stint in the service. He served in combat during the first Gulf War.

Scholler is an alumnus of the Allentown Police Academy, graduating at the top of his class. He spent two decades in law enforcement and furthered his education at DeSales University, studying criminal justice.

“The experience I had in the military and law enforcement prepared me for this position in the judiciary,” he said.

In other action, Councilman Charles Sodl called Coplay Sports to task on the way the group was handling access to the borough’s gym. Access cards are required to enter the gym, and Sodl claims this process is being poorly managed. He pointed out there are recorded instances of players with access to the gym around midnight.

Councilman Stephen Burker addressed some of the inconsistencies in his recreational committee meeting. Council and Coplay Sports will look at options on how to improve the system so there are better controls.

Coplay Public Library has implemented its new card system. The new cards allow access to 11 different libraries in the immediate area.

Council expressed some concern about DVS Enterprises’ apartment complex project, which was approved in June 2018 with certain considerations. The land is now up for sale. A new owner is required to develop the property according to the approved plans. Sodl said he is concerned that some provisions might not be fulfilled.

The DVS Enterprises project consisted of multiple apartment buildings near the Ironton Rail Trail and the new Saylor Park. DVS asked for a variance that would allow recreational fees to be paid as each building is permitted rather than upfront with the first permit.

Council will address options with its solicitor.

President Louis Bodish announced the borough’s 150th anniversary celebration will kick off with a gala April 6 at the American Club of Coplay pavilion. It will begin 4 p.m. There is a cost for the event, which includes dinner, beverages and comments from local dignitaries.