Williams to retire -- Kane considers job

By TOM RUE

MONTICELLO - Supreme court justice Robert Williams confirmed longstanding rumors of plans to retire from NYS Supreme Court last week, leaving the question as to who will fill the void.

Williams' retirement takes effect August 3. He has been on the bench -- first in family court, then county court, and now supreme -- since 1969. He previously served as Sullivan County District Attorney and as an assistant DA.

Williams and his wife -- the former Dorothy Bertsch -- make their home in Monticello, but have spent much time since 1983 in Collier County, Florida. They have been married 43 years.

An avid golfer, a annual tournament in Liberty is named in Williams' honor. He also golfs regularly in Florida.

After turning 67 last month, Williams said, he is ready for a lighter schedule. But with a work ethic which will not abide idleness, he is awaits word from the Third Judicial District on his application to be a hearing officer, for civil cases on a per diem basis. Williams will also volunteer some of his time as a mediator and arbitrator.

This year, he earned $113,000.

County court judge and surrogate Anthony Kane described feelings of sadness over Williams' departure, calling him "someone I could always go to for advice or guidance, or just a little companionship. His not being in the court house will be a serious personal loss for me."

Visiting judges will carry the supreme court load until the winner of the November 1995 general election takes office on the following January 1. The office has a term of 14 years.

A Republican, Williams was endorsed in 1987 and 1974 by the Democratic and Conservative parties. He replaced justice Lawrence H. Cooke, now retired, also of Monticello, a Democrat who enjoyed similar broad-based support.

Cochecton Center resident Helene Indelicato was confidential secretary to both Cooke and Williams, stretching back to 1957. "I feel honored and privileged to have had the opportunity to have worked for two such fine, eminent jurists," Indelicato noted. "To say that Judge Williams is a dedicated public servant is an understatement. He's a wonderful person to work for."

Indelicato echoed Kane's sentiment of the loss felt by court personnel. "He's been the catalyst that holds all the offices together with a real sense of camaraderie," Indelicato said, adding that Williams' highest priority has always been that all litigants leave court feeling that they were treated with fairness and compassion.

Local political leaders from both major parties are on record as saying that cross-endorsement of a candidate this fall is possible, to better the chances of Sullivan County having a resident supreme court justice in Monticello.

Each party will hold judicial conventions in Albany in September to endorse candidates to run for Williams' empty seat. Delegates will come from the seven counties in the Third Judicial District -- Sullivan, Ulster, Greene, Albany, Rensselaer, Schoharie and Columbia.

Contacted at his home on July 15, Kane said he "indicated interest" in the supreme court vacancy in a letter last week to administrative judge Harold Hughes in Albany -- a step which he said is required before seeking any public office.

Kane, 50, a Republican living in Forestburgh with his wife Nancy and two children, has served three years in his present capacity and seven years as family court judge. He graduated Cornell Law School in 1969 -- the same year Williams took office.

No other potential contenders for the post have made themselves known.

Williams and Kane agreed that having a local person on the supreme court bench is critical.

"It would be most difficult for the system to function efficiently without a resident supreme court justice," said Kane, explaining that cases would be heard by rotating judges from other counties; with local county and family court judges filling in at times.

"We've gotten used to accessibility of a supreme court judge who works long hours," Kane said. But since the seat will be filled by voters from seven counties -- not just Sullivan -- whether that will continue is uncertain.

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