MAHONING COUNTY Judge Lisotto speaks of illness

Judge Lisotto said he is willing to speak to groups or organizations.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Judge Robert Lisotto is speaking out about the illness that forced him to step down from the bench.
After being off the job since December, the judge ended months of speculation Monday by submitting his resignation to Judge Jack Durkin, who serves as common pleas court administrative judge. The resignation is effective Thursday.
Judge Durkin will forward the resignation to the Ohio Supreme Court.
Judge Lisotto has been on the bench since 1996, and his current term expires in December 2009. Before that, he spent six years as a judge in the county's area court system.
His letter of resignation cites a medical condition, but Judge Lisotto said in an interview at his home that he was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
"It was a little bit of a shock for me, to be honest," Judge Lisotto said. "I never guessed or dreamed that I had Alzheimer's, but I'm going to have to live with it."
Judge Lisotto, 58, said he was diagnosed some two months ago at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Md., and since then has been undergoing a treatment program at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Positive attitude
"I never got bummed out about it," Judge Lisotto said of his diagnosis, saying that he has tried instead to remain positive and upbeat.
He decided to speak out publicly about his illness in hopes that others who are also afflicted will find hope and encouragement in his attitude. He also hopes to call public attention to the disease that he said is "serious and prevalent" for people of all ages.
His wife, Vickie, said that according to the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association in Canfield, there are about 11,400 people in Mahoning, Columbiana and Trumbull counties who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
"I know the problem facing me is rather devastating," the judge said. "It's something I want to help people understand."
Judge Lisotto said he is in good health and the disease has stabilized. He keeps active by running about four miles every other day and working in his yard and garden. Remaining active, he said, helps ward off depression.
"I do miss working," he said. "I enjoyed my time as judge. Leaving it wasn't real savory for me. I would like to go back, but it's not possible, unfortunately."
Judge Lisotto said he is participating in diagnostic and pharmaceutical studies aimed at treating patients with Alzheimer's, hoping that one day a cure will be found.
"We've really taken a positive attitude about this," Mrs. Lisotto said. "Certainly there are days that it hits you hard, but you can't stay there long."
She said the family is encouraged because there is a bounty of Alzheimer's research taking place nationwide.
Replacement process
Judge Charles J. Bannon, a retired Mahoning County Common Pleas judge, has been appointed by the Ohio Supreme Court to fill in for Judge Lisotto on a visiting basis.
Once Judge Lisotto's resignation becomes effective, Gov. Bob Taft will begin the process of naming someone to replace him, said Mark Munroe, vice chairman of the county Republican Party.
Munroe said candidates will be able to run for the balance of Judge Lisotto's unexpired term in the November general election. The Republican and Democratic parties each can appoint a candidate to the ballot, he said. Independent candidates can circulate petitions to also get on the ballot, he said.
People who are interested in being appointed to the seat should contact the county GOP office to obtain a candidates' questionnaire, Munroe said.
bjackson@vindy.com