The
Forum:
The important
points to consider
To the editor on Oct. 26:
I have had the privilege of serving as the Town of Dix
Justice since first being elected in November 1987. Many people have
asked me what I think are the important points to consider when electing
a Town Justice. These are my personal thoughts:
EXPERIENCE: Over the past 24 years I have handled every type of municipal
court case that exists, ranging from neighborhood disputes to parking
tickets to murder arraignments and everything in between. I have attended
24 years of professional development training/testing and have been
“certified” by the NYS Office of Court Administration each
year to remain on the bench. I am a past Vice-President and President
of the Chemung/Schuyler Magistrates Association. My court has been used
by CCC students as an internship site and I also serve as the sole court
within Schuyler County to handle all probation transfers. As Town of
Dix Justice, I was the first court in the county to have a pager, a
cell phone, and then computerized facilities so as to make my court
even more accessible to those who conduct business therein. While serving
as Town of Dix Justice, the 6th Judicial District office requested some
of the record keeping tools that I created along with my court room
design to share with other local courts within the 6th Judicial District
as a way to be more efficient.
QUALIFIED: The role of a local justice is an ever changing endeavor.
There are more and more regulations being imposed on the judicial system
from Albany, fine schedules are in a constant state of flux, there are
always new laws to be aware of, and the monetary constraints on local
taxpayers to fund these changes are getting worse. I believe I have
the education, background, and organizational skills to keep up with
these demands so as to keep the Town of Dix court from being overwhelmed
and thereby adding expense to the taxpayers.
JUSTICE: It is a huge and humbling duty to sit in judgment of other
people, but in this day and age it is a job that all too often must
occur. I take this responsibility very seriously and have always listened
to all sides of the situation before deciding the next step for the
parties involved. I am human, so there might be a few people who have
some “sour grapes” because they disagreed with my decisions.
However I can say without hesitation that it was not without following
the law and protecting everyone’s rights within the legal system
as my oath demands of me.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Local courts have always been referred to as
the “courts closest to the people.” I agree with that statement
and would just like to share a few of the many things I’ve done
to support this philosophy. I’ve grown up in the Town of Dix and
currently reside in the village of Watkins Glen, I’ve worked in
this community for 30 years with the Watkins Glen School District excluding
a tour of duty with the United States Air Force, have owned and operated
my own business, currently sit on the board of three community service
groups, coached recreational soccer for six years, and have been an
active member of the Watkins Glen Fire Department for the last 35 years.
CAMPAIGN: “Are you going to put up signs” is the most frequently
asked question I hear. My answer is no and the reasons are: I believe
the voters deserve more than a popularity contest. The most qualified
candidate is not the one who puts up the most signs along the roadways
(which usually end up in a snow pile after the election, not to mention
the harm it then does to our eco-system), uses informal electronic methods
to contact voters, puts pamphlets in mailboxes, solicits endorsements
from a variety of political parties, has agencies or individuals announce
their backing, or attends the most dinners. Each candidate is entitled
to project themselves to the constituents as they see fit, but I do
not think this is the way a local Judicial Position should be portrayed.
I have been a registered Republican since I was old enough to vote
and have always run for election under that single party. No signs,
no other endorsements, no electronic media blitzes. Just a person who
cares about others and respects everyone’s point of view and their
legal rights.
Change, change, change seems to be the cry on the political front these
days. There probably are parts of the current political system where
one might think change is good. But changing things just for the sake
of change may not always be the best choice. As the old saying goes…..you
don’t always have to throw the baby out with the bathwater.
ACCOUNTABILITY: All Schuyler County local courts are held to the highest
standard of accountability. These methods range from yearly audits by
the Municipal Board, monthly review by the NYS Comptroller, monthly
review by the NYS Office of Court Administration, 24/7/365 by the NYS
Judicial Ethics Review Board, the District Attorney’s Office (which
represents the people and victims), the Public Defender’s Office
(which represents the defendants), private attorneys (who represent
their clients), the Schuyler County Probation Department, and the Schuyler
County Judge as the immediate appellate division. So to think a local
judge can “freelance” in a court room would be inaccurate.
I have served faithfully with a great sense of pride and dedication
during the past 24 years. I would consider it an honor if the Town of
Dix residents would once again exercise their constitutional right and
vote for me on Tuesday, November 8th, 2011.
Respectfully,
Alan Gregory
Republican Candidate
Town of Dix Justice
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