Sullivan County Court candidates pitch experience By TOM RUE
MONTICELLO - This Tuesday, Sullivan voters will select the man who will administer justice in county court for the next decade. At $105,000 a year, Elias Leibowitz of Monticello called the race "a million dollar decision."An October 30 candidates' forum, at the Monticello Neighborhood Facility, was hosted in the name of the Sullivan County Action Coalition, the forum was moderated by Loch Sheldrake attorney Norman Mordkofsky.
Incumbent Sullivan County Court judge Burton Ledina, 56, of Monticello, faced Democratic challenger Frank J. Labuda, 46, of Wurtsboro. Questions were prepared by the candidates, then read by Mordkofsky. An audience of about 15 was also invited to submit questions from the floor. Mordkofsky said the format was unusual for sitting judges, who are ethically restrained from "political combat."
Ledina spoke first, using his opening statement to demonstrate a breadth of knowledge of the role and activities of the county court and surrogate judge. LaBuda followed with a description of his nearly two decades of experience in county court, as a prosecutor and defense attorney.
Emphasizing his 11 years in the office of District Attorney in the office of Steven Lungen, and 7 as a defense lawyer in private practice, LaBuda recently published a flyer describing Ledina's 27 years as a town and village justice as "not inadequate" preparation for county court. "To suggest otherwise is misleading," the flyer accuses.
LaBuda ran two prior unsuccessful countywide races, including against Lungen for DA in 1988; and for county court against Anthony Kane in 1991. Ledina has been Town of Thompson, and Village of Monticello, justice, for 27 years, enjoying both parties' endorsements for much of that period.
Ledina was appointed county court judge by Gov. George Pataki. After completing a 35-page application, he was investigated and approved by NYS Police for security clearance. Ledina was confirmed by the NYS Senate Judicial Committee in June 1996.
LaBuda came close to taking the county court seat by the same procedure in May 1991. After appointment by Gov. Mario Cuomo, his nomination was the only one out of 16 left unconfirmed by the bipartisan Senate Judicial Committee. Previously, he served from late November 1990 to April 1991, as an active-duty Army reservist in the Persian Gulf.
Ledina was rated "highly qualified" by the Sullivan County Bar Association for judicial temperment, ethics, and ability. LaBuda dismissed the anonmyous rating system as "a popularity contest."
LaBuda has been Mamakating justice since 1993. During his years in the DA's office, LaBuda said, he prosecuted more than 24 felony defendants; and has defended about half that number in private practice. None of the convictions he obtained were ever overturned on appeal, he noted, adding that several of his defense clients were acquited.
Ledina countered that no amount of time as "an advocate" -- either on behalf of the People or of a criminal defendant -- is sufficient preparation to act as an impartial judge, stressing his nearly three decades experience in that realm. "The job as an attorney for a client is manipulative," said Ledina. "A judge advocates for justice... a fair and just result that is ultimately to be attained between the parties," said Ledina.
Ledina is married to Harriett Ledina, a supervisor at the Department of Social Services. They have three children. LaBuda and his wife, Kathy LaBuda, have four children. Kathy LaBuda is a regular volunteer for local human service organizations.
Longtime political observers in both parties predicted the county court judge election would be a close one.
A second Sullivan County Court seat is in the process of being created. It is expected to be filled by Pataki after a recommendation by a state judicial screening committee chaired by retired Chief Judge Lawrence Cooke of Monticello.
Click here to view the November 1996 election results.
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