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Judge Rusu sworn in to six-year term
YOUNGSTOWN
Hailed by a colleague as “a man of vision,” Judge Robert N. Rusu Jr. was sworn in Wednesday to a six-year term as Mahoning County Probate Court judge that will begin Monday.
“He is a man of vision, and he’s a man that has gained tremendous respect by this community,” Judge Carol Ann Robb said of Judge Rusu before swearing him in. Judge Robb will join the 7th District Court of Appeals on Monday.
Judge Rusu was appointed probate judge by Gov. John Kasich and first sworn in last July 8.
As an independent candidate, Judge Rusu, of Canfield, won the six-year term by defeating Atty. Susan Maruca of Poland, a Democrat, by a 52-48 percent margin in the Nov. 4 election.
Judge Rusu was appointed last year to replace Judge Mark Belinky, who resigned his judicial seat and law license, pleaded guilty to tampering with records concerning his 2008 election campaign and was put on two years’ probation.
After he was sworn in, Judge Rusu swore in his probate court staff of 12.
Judge Rusu said his management style “is to let the people do their jobs. I’m here as the gatekeeper.”
Most of his court’s staff members have 10 or more years of experience in their jobs, he noted.
“We have to digitize and we have to microfilm, so we’re trying to streamline that process,” by upgrading computer technology to make more efficient use of court staff, Judge Rusu said.
Lucia Lovell, probate court administrator, said the court under Judge Rusu is “very professional” and its operation is more structured than in the past. However, she added: “He doesn’t micromanage.”
Judge Rusu said he is working on a program under which Youngstown State University gerontology students will visit people under guardianship in nursing and assisted living homes to check on their well-being.