Opinions

Editorial - Should Sheriffs and Judges be Cops and Lawyers?

Opinions | Friday, October 12, 2018 | By Dan Veaner

If you have been reading the 'Letters to the Editor' in the Star over the past couple of months you know that a debate has been going on about the qualifications of a town justice. In November's election Lansing voters will choose between one candidate who has no background in law, and another who has almost two decades of experience as an attorney, teaches law at TC3's paralegal program, and is currently a judge's court attorney. Some argue that being a lawyer is not a requirement of elected town and justices, while others say it only makes sense to put someone with legal experience on the bench.

Interesting, the same argument applies to this year's election for County Sheriff. While two of the candidates have impressive credentials in law enforcement, the third is an independent journalist with no legal training. How do you make sense of this conundrum? Do attorney judges do better than non-attorneys? Do experienced law enforcement officers make better sheriffs? New York says legal or law enforcement background doesn't matter when electing judges and sheriffs. So why should it?

Thoughts - Parallax, Sexual Harassment

Opinions | Friday, October 12, 2018 | By Casey Stevens

Parallax: n., from the Greek. To cause to alternate the apparent displacement of an observed object due to a change in the position of the observer. (from Dictionary.com).

To give you a simple exposure to this idea before expanding a Thought, I will revert to the radio studios I occupied for many a year. There is always a plethora of glass 'walls' in a radio studio, probably to give the appearance of a rare animal in a cage to be observed by the people who thought radio people were an alien group, a sub-species rarely seen outside of captivity. One of my original mentors, as he was getting ready to retire, spoke of his pending retirement as 'the fox is out of the box'. The desire to deny exposure of these animals to the public in daylight hours is probably why we started our radio career on the 'graveyard shift' from midnight to five-ish, giving the announcer/DJ time to civilize nocturnally before being exposed to the public. This of course also led to posting of signs outside of radio studios stating it was against the rules to 'feed the animals'.

Letters - Richard Costello - Candidate for Town Justice

Opinions | Friday, October 12, 2018 | By Jim Walsh

Dear Lansing Residents,

I am writing to ask you to consider voting for my friend Dick Costello for Town Justice this November. While I am not a resident of your town, I am quite familiar with the area and had two of my children graduate from area colleges; one at Cornell and one at Ithaca. I also represented parts of Central NY in the House of Representatives for 20 years.

I have known Dick for 30 years and I have great respect for him. He is a wonderful human being, energetic, wise and dedicated. He has given this idea of public service a lot of thought and is committed to serving his community on a full time basis.

Letters - Maura Kennedy-Smith For Town Justice

Opinions | Friday, October 12, 2018 | By Andra Benson

Dear editor,

I support Maura Kennedy -Smith for Lansing Town Justice. Maura is an involved parent who is committed to bettering our community. This shows through her work as an attorney dedicated to public service. Maura has represented many clients in Lansing Town Court. She knows the issues people in court are facing, and she will address them with compassion and fairness.

Letters - Vote For Experience And Skills, Vote For Maura Kennedy-Smith

Opinions | Friday, October 12, 2018 | By Ruth Hopkins

Lansing voters, we have a unique opportunity to elect someone to our Town Justice with important new perspectives. Not only is Maura Kennedy an experienced court attorney in Tompkins County, a Lansing parent, and a Town resident, she will offer an important perspective as a woman.

Letters - Richard Costello - Lansing Town Judge Candidate

Opinions | Friday, October 12, 2018 | By Joe Tesori

To the editor,

As a friend and colleague of Richard Costello for some forty years,please let the following serve as a hearty character reference/endorsement as he seeks the position of Town of Lansing Judge. Such a foray into political office may seem like a stretch for the unknowing, but a look into Richard's long term of being involved in the lives of others may enlighten those inquiring minds.

There have been some nay-sayers who have openly questioned Dick's qualifications,summarizing his life as a distinguished and decorated member of the Professional Golfers Association of America (PGA) as a superficial lifestyle that anyone with slight traing could aspire to. Offensive as that may be to a PGA member, it can be similarly stated that a lawyer can receive their 'stripes' by watching several episodes of Law and Order!

Letters - Maura Kennedy-Smith Endorsement

Opinions | Friday, October 12, 2018 | By Mary Gutenberger

Editor, The Lansing Star:

My vote for Lansing Town Justice will go to Maura Kennedy-Smith. As a mother raising children in Lansing, Maura is invested in our schools and in our community. She is also an attorney who knows the law. Maura is simply the best qualified and the best suited candidate for the position. She is talented, experienced and dedicated, so I am voting Maura Kennedy-Smith for Town Justice.

Mary Gutenberger
Lansing, NY
v14i39

Letters - Compare The Two Candidates For Congress

Opinions | Friday, October 12, 2018 | By Steve Beikirch

Have you ever noticed that Congressman Tom Reed seems to "care deeply" about the folks in the 23rd district around this same time every two years. Reed is bought and paid for by out-of-state PACS and deep-pocket donors to the tune of $millions. Ask yourself, who do does Reed really care about; the hard working people here at home or that private equity real estate investor living in Dallas, Texas who gave his campaign over $10,000 this year alone? Tracy Mitrano has pledge to not take corporate PAC money.