(Submitted Photo)

CHENANGO COUNTY – Local attorney, Leonard W. (Bill) Smith, announced his candidacy for Chenango County Clerk in the upcoming election earlier this month. Current county clerk, Mary Weidman, announced she is stepping down in 2021.

Smith is a lifetime resident of Chenango County and has practiced law in Chenango and surrounding counties since 1977. He will be on the ballot for the Republican Primary.

Over Smith's 29 years as assistant County Attorney, he worked closely with Weidman and her staff in answering questions and finding solutions.

“Mary was a tried-and-true public servant in both her capacities as County Clerk and member and chairman of the Fair Association. She will be missed,” said Smith.

His campaign published this statement:

Bill is uniquely qualified by his professional education, training and day to day practice and further enjoys the confidence of the Clerk's current staff. He will be able to hit the road running on day one.

Bill respectfully offers the following as background and qualifications for the County Clerk's position.

Bill attended St. Paul's school in Norwich (k-8) and graduated from Norwich High School in 1967. He was elected captain of the football, basketball, and baseball teams his senior year.

Bill was offered a football scholarship from Syracuse University, he attended and played ball there and graduated in 1971.

His first job out of college was a car salesman at Smith-Ford in Norwich and he then accepted a position as budget supervisor for the ethical medicine division of Norwich Pharmaceutical (then owned by Morton Salt).

He applied to and was accepted by Syracuse University Law School, graduating in December 1975, after two rather than the normal three years while working part time for a Syracuse law firm.

After a short time working in Cazenovia, Bill became an associate and then partner in the law firm of Stratton, Sullivan, Monaco & Smith. Subsequently W. Howard Sullivan and he were law partners until Howie's becoming Chenango County Judge in 2000. Since then, he practiced on his own and as partner with

Frank Revoir until Frank's election as County Judge. On November 1, 1985, Bill was appointed by Jim Haynes as assistant County attorney and continued in that capacity until December 30, 2014.

During his time in the County Attorney's office, he was assigned to answer all substantive; practical and procedural questions presented by the County

Clerk. During that time neither his answers nor promptness in providing the same were ever questioned.

Bill's practice over the years has been focused on Real Estate and Estate matters. Very few, if any attorneys have had more dealings with not only the Chenango County Clerk's office but with County Clerk offices in the surrounding counties.

Many people do not understand what the County Clerk does, and all the detail and intricacies involved. This requires a person trained and experienced in the law. Bill has been a member of the Bar and licensed to practice law for over forty-four years and remains a member in good standing. He believes the public will be better served by electing a County Clerk with experience and knowledge of the Clerk's office. There is a need for professional education, training, and experience.

Bill has one child, Kelly. She lives with his grandson, Cole in Norwich, and is employed by Norwich City School District as a special education teacher.

Bill's civic involvements over the years include serving over 10 years as president of the Norwich Little League, in which over 400 boys and girls participated each season. He was a longtime member of the Board of Directors of the Chenango County Chamber of Commerce and has served on several municipal committees including the Norwich Civil Service Commission.

Retirement is not for Bill. If elected he will complete his term (perhaps more) and fulfill the confidences placed in him by the voters.

Bill believes the most critical concern of the County Clerk is to make sure he or she and the Clerk's employees are both courteous and helpful to the public.

He would be dedicated to making sure steps are taken to make this happen.

Thank you for taking time to review this article, Bill would be glad to answer any questions concerning his qualifications, or any other matters. His address is 43 South Broad Street, Norwich, NY 13815, his work numbers are 334-1948 and 334-6800 his cell number is 316-8690 and you can also email him at leonardwsmith@frontiernet.net.

Bill is looking for other members to serve on his Election Committee which presently includes Howie Sullivan; Bill VanOrden; Pete Smith;Jim Fertig; Grace Nucero-Aiger; Jim Cushman; Mike Gibbon; Virginia Lee;Joe Maiurano; Rich Breslin; Debbie Harrington; Lana Deuel; Ed and Lisa Stratton;Joe Biviano; Marge Brunton; AI Marsters; Joyce Post, and Jim, Mike, and Cole Smith

Please call or come in to see Bill if you would like to be added to his Election Committee or assist the campaign in any other capacity. Bill welcomes the opportunity to work closely with the Clerk's staff and the public.

- From the campaign for Leonard W. Smith for County Clerk