County judge, sheriff, coroner hopefuls spar

By TOM RUE

MONTICELLO - Candidates for three Sullivan County elective offices faced off before a sparse audience on October 20.

Incumbent judge and surrogate Burton Ledina met challenger Stefan Schick who boasted 20 years experience as a trial lawyer in county court. Ledina has 28 years as a village and town justice, and one and a half as county judge, appointed twice by Gov. George Pataki. "I believe most people would agree you could have 27 years as a non-lawyer judge and not be qualified for county court," Schick asserted.

A graduate of NY University School of Law, Ledina has been practicing law in Sullivan County since 1964. "My experience is on the bench, not before the bench," he quipped. In addition to 28 years judicial experience, his practice has been 35% probate law, 25% real property law, 20% general practice, 10% bankruptcy, and 10% trusts and estates, according to West's Legal Directory.

Schick, who graduated NY Law School in 1977, emphasized his work defending accused felons in county court with Sullivan County Legal Aid Society and Legal Aid Bureau. "The best judicial experience you can have is to have been a trial attorney for 20 years," he asserted, noting that he spent 8 years in private practice specializing in negligence and civil rights cases.

Schick, a Democrat, is a political newcomer. Ledina's name will appear on Republican and Conservative lines.

Sheriff candidates feud

Sullivan County undersheriff Daniel Hogue fended off criticism by Fallsburg chief Brent Lawrence, each touting their training and experience as superior preparation to run the 168-person department.

Graduating Monticello High, Hogue served in Germany in the U.S. Army, became a Monticello policeman in 1961, rising to detective lieutenant. In 1987 he moved to the sheriff's department. In response to a question why it took "200 violations, two deaths and state intervention to get the jail in order," Hogue claimed the department's darkest days occurred before his arrival.

In July 1987, alleged burglar Edward Albarron, 20, died of heart failure after an asthma attack in jail. Twelve hours later, Cecil Soto of Hurleyville died of heart failure and AIDS. In October 1987, drunk driver Raymond Gnasdowski, 33, died shackled to a bar in a jail hallway amid alcohol-induced delirium. In March 1992, indigent Nelson Pratts, 37, diagnosed schizophrenic, hung himself from a bedsheet in a cell and died at Community General Hospital.

"What took place prior to my getting there was probably one reason why Sheriff Wasser asked me to come in," Hogue replied as Wasser sat in the audience nodding. "As far as the two deaths, it happened and I'm sorry for it, but I had nothing to do with it," Hogue said. "In 1987 we were at the very bottom as far as corrections," he admitted, citing a state inspection which he said recently found the department "nearly flawless."

Lawrence said he completed Tri-Valley School in 1967, graduated John Jay College of Criminal Justice, has been with the Fallsburg department since 1973, and its chief since 1994. Asked why he didn't serve in the military during the Viet Nam conflict, Lawrence said he registered for the draft and was willing to serve if called, but the war ended. Lawrence described numerous areas of law-enforcement in which he has obtained specialized certification.

Lawyer vs. physician for coroner

Democrat Deb Ireland of Liberty, a lawyer and student of forensic anthropology and entomology challenges incumbent Republican county coroner George Gould, M.D. Both candidates noted experience with grief counseling and described themselves as compassionate and able to respond promptly to scenes of unattended deaths.

The only issue on which the two differed was on Ireland's proposal for a one-person County Coroner's Office.

The debate, hosted by The Times Herald-Record of Middletown in the auditorium of Monticello Middle School, was moderated by managing editor Meg Angus-Smith.

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