Candidate for Judge Attends Edgewood Council

District Judge candidate Marc Taiani told Edgewood Council Monday he has the experience and practical know-how to hold the position in Wilkinsburg next year.

“I am running for district judge in Wilkinsburg and Edgewood, as our municipalities for the purposes of court,” Taiani said. “I was given the honor of representing our districts in the primary and I am asking for your support.”

Taiani, who lives near Kelly School in Wilkinsburg, is a licensed attorney who has been practicing in western Pennsylvania for 10 years. His background is in family law, criminal offense and real estate legislation.

“All of those matters pertain to the magisterial district judge and the responsibilities a judge has,” Taiani said.

Taiani said he wants to help make his community a safer place through the position, which is currently held by District Judge Kim Hoots.

“I love this place, I love the Regent Square area and it has so much to offer us,” he said.

Growing up in a military family, Taiani lived all over the world as a child, deciding to set down his roots in Wilkinsburg. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, later attending law school at the University of Pittsburgh. He passed the bar exam the first time he took it, he said.

“One of the things the magistrate needs to have are qualifications, and I believe I meet those,” he said. “I have the practical experience - every day I go before a judge.”

Taiani said he hopes to use community service as a way to help people who have gotten into trouble with the law to give back to the neighborhood. He also said he will hold all parents accountable for any truancy issues he faces in the court.

“As elected officials and volunteers, we really appreciate the role of the magistrate and understand the position’s impact on the community,” council president Pat Schaefer said. “We have much respect for the office and wish you well.”

In other news, council approved the “personal consumption of alcohol” for Edgewood Community Day Aug. 27. Alcohol will not be sold at the event. Council approved a motion that will allow residents to bring alcohol to Koenig Field during the day's festivities.

Schaefer also addressed a recent sign that appeared on marquee on Race Street which read, “Lock your windows and doors.” Schaefer received a message from a concerned resident and said the phrase on the sign was a simple friendly reminder. With the hot weather, she said more people are leaving their windows open or walking to the park and leaving their doors unlocked.

“This is just so folks know there isn’t a wave of anything going on, it’s just a reminder,” Schaefer said. “I just wanted everyone to know that everything is good in Edgewood - we just want to look out for our neighbors.”