Letter: Iacocca puts needs of community over personal ambition

To The Editor,

There are three things, in my opinion, that make Al Iacocca a stand-out person to be Magisterial District Judge – his law and court experience of course, his remarkable civic outreach in our community, and his temperament.

Al has had not only a long standing and ongoing experience as a criminal and civil lawyer for years in our area doing all of the court representations for his clients that this entails, but he has been a trained mediator to resolve disputes between individuals and businesses, served as a Chester County Arbitrator for the past five years and been admitted to the PA Supreme Court Bar and the Federal District Court of Eastern Pennsylvania Bar.

But Al Iacocca has gone far beyond that in the extensive creation of youth and adult community activities in our area. The Kennett Run to name one, came out of his involvement with Rotary Club and his board affiliation with Kennett Run Charities. He has been responsible for quality of life events: he became Race Director of the Run for a good while. Is it commonly known that he has won Volunteer awards of significance twice, because of his commitment and energetic work with kids in the YMCA, that he has served as PTO Vice-President and President at the Hillendale Elementary School, pro-bono counsel, that he has been a long-time coach and sponsor of youth sports in our area, that he currently serves as Boy Scout Leader of a local troop? Al has been a real civic presence here – working in leadership roles with youth of all ages and many adults.

This leads to the third trait of significance: Al Iacocca is working and thinking or others – his family, his neighbors, his community above personal gain for himself. He obviously likes to forge ahead, take on challenges, but without arrogance. He has the temperament to be a good judge because he cares enough to listen and to understand the problems of the many individuals he meets, and interacts with.

Here is a statement that Al Iacocca has made that underscores his intent:

“I hold fast to the belief that we can’t let bad decisions define us, but we do need to acknowledge and make amends for the mistakes we’ve made, and we owe it to our community to move forward in a positive manner. I would aim to instill that concept in all who came into my courtroom, arming them with the opportunity and the tools to be a contributing member of the community.”

Mr. Iacocca is a known quantity with known integrity. Fair treatment and respect for others goes a long way.

Lastly, Al Iacocca is a modest man, not one to publicize his accomplishments. It came as quite a surprise to know that he graduated from the University of North Carolina Central University School of Law magna cum laude.

Al may not have spent the money to publicize his campaign as has his opponent, but it is to be hoped that the scope of his good deeds over the years in our community and his fine character will be appreciated by the many who know him. And translate into many votes this Tuesday.

Diana M. Rarig

Kennett Square