Wayne Allen | Daily Times
Portsmouth Municipal Court Judge Steven Mowery (left) as he is swearing in Jerry Buckler (center) as the Scioto County Court of Common Pleas Domestic Relations Division while Lisa Buckler holds the Bible.
Wayne Allen
PDT Staff Writer
Jerry Buckler was sworn in into office as the next judge of the Scioto County Court of Common Pleas Domestic Relations Division during a ceremony Tuesday night in the lobby of the Scioto County Court House.
Portsmouth Municipal Judge Steven Mowery administered the oath of office to Buckler.
“I’m honored to share the opening page to another chapter in the life of the Buckler family,” Mowery told those in attendance. “Jerry Buckler will leave the 38,000 attorneys in the state of Ohio, to join the 470 sitting judges throughout the state.
“Having worked with Jerry in the practice of law and also as a judge in municipal court, he has the qualities he needs to take this step. He is prepared and fair, he is worthy and he is wise. I look forward to have the opportunity to watch him from my court to his. I know he will be just to all who come before him.”
Among those in attendance were a number of local judges and judges-elect.
“There are three judges, Judge (Dick) Schisler, Judge Russell Kegley and Judge Steven Mowery here tonight who have molded me into the kind of a judge I think that I’m going to become,” Bucker said. “I will do what I can do for the citizens of Scioto County as they enter a court room that they truly do not want to enter.”
He said most of the people come to domestic relations court because their life is in turmoil.
“I hope that I will have the fortitude and capability to be a judge dealing with these kinds of issues,” Buckler said.
Part of the program was entitled ‘Judge Buckler’s Road To The Bench.’ In that section of the program Buckler’s daughter, Adrienne, talked to the crowd about his time at law school. Lorenzo Bentley talked about having Buckler as a high school teacher and Kathy Goins spoke about being on the Valley School Board with Buckler.
“I added a section to the program called Judge Buckler’s road to the bench because I wanted you all to know I did not just take that single route of going to law school. I went to a major university, Rio Grande College and got my degree to teach high school and I taught eight years at Clay High School. I went and got my Master’s Degree at Ohio University to become a high school principal,” Buckler said. “Because I can not stand to be out-done by my sister, I decided to go to law school. I chose to got to Capital University three evenings a week for four years in the same car on Route 23 driving the same route.”
Prior to becoming Judge, Buckler is an Assistant City Prosecutor for the city of Portsmouth and had a private law practice. Prior to Monday night Buckler was also a member was a member of the Valley Local School District.
His last meeting as a Valley School Board member was Monday night.
“I’ve been quoted as saying it’s difficult when you run for election because there is so much stress that goes with it. I will tell you that once you win the election there is so much stress that goes with it. That comes to appointing staff and putting people around you that truly has your back,” Buckler said.
Joining Buckler as his magistrate will be Michael Jones. Jones currently serves as the Portsmouth City Solicitor until the first of the year when he assumes his new role.
Buckler and his staff will officially take office Jan. 2.
“We’re going to have to hit the ground running. I just finished judges training last week in Columbus. We have three hearings set for the first day and I plan to have them,” Buckler said.
Wayne Allen may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 228, or wallen@heartlandpublications.com.
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