This is a resident's response to the Neighborhoods article of May 20 titled, "Businesses complain about DJ's office." I have no role or stake in the matter.
While I can certainly sympathize with nearby business owners, there are several points that were not mentioned in the article that may provide a broader understanding and appreciation of the matter:
The location of the current district justice office was established prior to the election and assumption of office by Blaise Larotonda.
The term of the lease for the office is contractually fixed for a long period of time -- I've heard 10 years.
While the district justice is, I believe, a state employee/function, the operating budget for the office is established and controlled by the Allegheny County court system.
Allegheny County was encouraged and offered space in Mt. Lebanon's new Public Safety Center during and following its design phase. It was a site preferred by the then-district justice, police and local public officials. Allegheny County declined the opportunity, allegedly because of costs. William F. Lewis
Mt. Lebanon
