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Scott District Magistrate Gary Zyra talks about his 20-plus-years as the district magistrate.
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Judge Gary M. Zyra's retirement to end an era

Pam Panchak/Post-Gazette

Judge Gary M. Zyra's retirement to end an era

The most senior of Allegheny County’s 46 magisterial district judges is about to step down, ending what could be called the Gary M. Zyra era of Allegheny County Magisterial District 5-2-22, based in Scott.

Judge Zyra has headed that magisterial court since 1978, when he was appointed at the age of 24 to fill in the remaining term of the late Ralph Biondi, who had resigned. Since then, Judge Zyra has served consecutive six-year terms.

Now at age 61, after hearing 400 to 500 cases a year, he has decided it's time to put away his gavel when his term ends at the end of this year.

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It wasn’t an easy decision.

"It was kind of agony trying to decide whether to run for re-election," he said, but he didn't feel he could complete another six-year term.

Still, he is willing to help, if needed.

"I won't be far," he said, adding he is considering becoming a senior magisterial district judge who would fill in as needed.

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His office is in the Scott municipal building, and his district serves Scott, Heidelberg and Green Tree, although it's not unusual for him to hear cases from other communities, too.

Magisterial district courts are the first level of Pennsylvania’s judiciary and handle private criminal complaints; traffic and non-traffic citations; landlord-tenant disputes; and civil cases. They also hold preliminary arraignments and hearings for criminal matters.

Judge Zyra, who is lawyer, has found his legal background to be helpful in his work, but he said the district judge position requires basic common sense.

At times, he has been disturbed by some defendants' lack of courtesy and etiquette. When one showed up wearing shorts and flip-flops and eating a bag of potato chips, Judge Zyra told him, "You're not at a picnic."

The toughest part of being a district judge is weighing the evidence, especially in sexual assault cases, he said. Those involving children are the most difficult, he said.

His soft-spoken manner and gentle, approachable demeanor have earned him the respect of many local residents and elected officials.

"If you talk about integrity, he's got it," said Scott police Chief Jim Secreet, who has worked with Judge Zyra for 30 years. "He's definitely going to be missed."

Chief Secreet said he respects Judge Zyra because he doesn't judge by hearsay.

"His answer is always, 'I'll listen to the facts.' You can't influence him," the chief said, noting that Judge Zyra works with police to find the best solutions for defendants.

Green Tree manager David Montz said, "He's always been a gentleman and fair to both sides. He'll be really missed. I think he really has the communities' interests at heart." 

Carnegie police Chief Jeffrey Kennedy agreed.

"Gary over the years has been extremely fair to both the police and the public," he said. "He is very good at listening. That's what magistrates are for. Gary's going to be missed," he said.

Born in the Chartiers Terrace section of Scott, Judge Zyra attended St. Ignatius School in Scott and Bishop Canevin High School, which at that time was known as Canevin High School. One of his first jobs was delivering the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, a task he shared with his brother, Joe.

"Those were good times," he recalled. "We usually got up at 4 a.m."

Judge Zyra furthered his education at the University of Pittsburgh and Duquesne University School of Law. In addition to his work as magisterial district judge, he has a law office on Carothers Avenue in Scott, where he deals mainly in estates and wills.

Judge Zyra lives in Scott with his wife, Debbi, a nurse at Providence Point. They have five children, ages 20-30, and are awaiting the arrival of their first grandchild.

Although Mr. Zyra plans to continue his law practice after he retires from the bench, he has some other retirement ideas, too.

"I would just love to get a job cutting grass. I would love to retire to South Bend [Ind.] and work on Notre Dame's maintenance crew," he said.

His advice for his successor is simple.

"Keep an open mind and always be courteous and respectful. Don't think you're better than anyone else."

Carole Gilbert Brown, freelance writer: suburbanliving@post-gazette.com.

First Published: April 17, 2015, 4:00 a.m.

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Scott District Magistrate Gary Zyra talks about his 20-plus-years as the district magistrate.  (Pam Panchak/Post-Gazette)
Pam Panchak/Post-Gazette
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