Editor,

I am writing this letter to comment on the upcoming September 13, 2012 primary election to choose the Republican candidate for Chenango County Court Judge. I was a practicing attorney in Chenango County from 1975 until my recent retirement in December of 2011. I first served as the Chenango County Social Services Attorney and then beginning in 1989, I was privileged to serve as the Chenango County Attorney – a position I held until my retirement. Over those thirty plus years, I have become intimately familiar with the workings of the various Chenango County Courts, the judges, the lawyers and the related personnel in the court system. It is through my service as County Attorney that I know the two candidates seeking the Republican nomination - Frank Revoir Jr and Joe McBride.

The recent series of letters to the editor and campaign material supporting Mr. McBride would have the voters believe that experience as the District Attorney should be the determining qualification for our County Court Judge. However, research into the sitting judges of the five counties surrounding Chenango including Delaware, Otsego, Madison, Cortland and Broome reveals that of the 13 judges who preside over Family Court, County Court and Surrogate’s Court, not a single one was a former District Attorney of their respective county. This fact alone should demonstrate to the voters that experience as a District Attorney is not the key to being an effective County Court Judge.