Rape. Murder. Arson.
Those are the everyday work of the judges of the Onondaga County Court. And voters get to decide who their judges will be.
That’s a distinction of American democracy, said Grant Reeher, political scientist and director of the Campbell Public Affairs Institute at Syracuse University. “The United States is basically the only country in the world that elects these kinds of positions,” said Reeher.
The Onondaga County Court has three judges. These judges have jurisdiction within the 5th Judicial District. Two of the three judgeships are filled by Anthony Aloi and Joseph Fahey. But the third seat is up for grabs. There isn’t an incumbent judge running for re-election, so this race is called “open seat.” The seat became open with the retirement of Judge William Walsh.
Now voters have the choice between Democrat Gordon Cuffy, the attorney for Onondaga County, and Republican Tom Miller, the Fayetteville village justice.
The election is Nov. 6.
Onondaga county judges are elected for 10-year terms and are paid $147,100 annually.
Here’s more about the candidates:
Gordon Cuffy (Democrat)
After 22 years in public service, Gordon Cuffy says he’s ready to be a county court judge.
“I’ve been steering more and more towards serving this community and serving to make it a better community,” said Cuffy. “I think it’s the next step to make the community better and I think this is where I can make difference.”
Cuffy, 51, has been the county attorney of Onondaga since 2008. He is also an adjunct Syracuse University law professor.
Cuffy has his undergraduate degree from Syracuse University and his law degree from Brooklyn Law School. From 1990 to 2001, Cuffy was an assistant district attorney and senior assistant district attorney in the Onondaga County District Attorney’s office. From 2001 to 2008, he was also an assistant attorney general and an assistant deputy attorney general in the New York State Attorney General’s office.
In short, Cuffy has worked as a practicing attorney, handling different cases. “I have a wide variety of experience. I’ve made the types of decisions involved with ‘should this case go forward?’” said Cuffy. “I’ve considered both sides. I have a reputation for being fair in handling my cases.”
Cuffy is an alumnus of Leadership Greater Syracuse and a former board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters. Cuffy also has the support of Laborers’ Local 633, CWA Local 1123, Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 2 New York/Vermont and Region 9a UAW of the Central New York Community Action Program Council.
If elected, Cuffy say he will always try to do what is just. “I will be deliberate. People may disagree with me,” said Cuffy. “But I will always try to do the right and fair thing.”
Tom Miller (Republican)
Tom Miller has spent his professional career in Onondaga County, as both a lawyer and a judge. Since 2001, Miller has been the Fayetteville justice.
Village justices are required to be on-call 24 hours a day. They handle misdemeanors and traffic infractions, issue orders of protection, and are in charge of preliminary hearings in felony matters.
“I’ve had the opportunity to hopefully make a difference in someone’s life, whether a victim or a defendant or a family member of either one of those,” said Miller.
Miller, 51, has his undergraduate degree from the University of Kentucky and his law degree from Syracuse University.
In addition to being a village justice, he continues to be a practicing lawyer in Fayetteville. His 30 years as a lawyer, he said, has prepared him for the county court judge position.
“I think that given my experience, I know the difference between a person that has chosen crime as a career path, and a person that is basically a good person, that either made a terrible mistake, or has an addiction, or medical issue,” said Miller.
Miller will also be on the ballot for the Independence, Conservative, and Veterans’ parties. Miller also has the support of CNY Women’s Bar Association, Independent Judicial Election Qualification Commission, Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 267, and Teamsters Local 317.
Miller has been a mentor justice, which means he has trained other town and village court judges. He has also coached Little League baseball.
“I’ve realized the importance of a judge as a positive role model in the community. A judge isn’t just a judge from 9 to 5,” said Miller. “It becomes a part of who you are, a part of your identity.”
(Alexandra Montgomery is a senior with dual majors in broadcast journalism and political science.)
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