Columnists share their thoughts
Find out what the hot takes of the day are on the nation’s headlines.
Public service is something that is vital to any successful and healthy community. We’re lucky here in Saratoga County to live in a community filled with individuals who dedicate their time, effort and resources to make our area a great place to live, work and raise a family.
A duty to public service is why I spent 16 years working as a police officer. This rewarding career provided an opportunity to help those in need and deliver justice to those who committed crimes. Working on the front lines of crime scene investigations, forensics, DWI, and traffic enforcement, I was humbled to be named “Police Officer of the Year” in 2000 and earn the Mark Goca Memorial Award for Leadership in 2001.
It was during my police career, working in the trenches to serve and protect, that I decided I could do even more to help even more people. So, at the age of 41,I made a big leap and went back to school. It wasn’t easy juggling college courses while also working full-time and raising a young family, but I knew that this was a dream worth pursuing. I became an attorney in 2003, and this profession has provided me with the opportunity to help countless individuals.
Now I’m ready to bring my unique combination of experience –as a police officer and as an attorney – to serve the people of Saratoga County as your new District Attorney. We need a change in this office and I am ready to make that change, which is why I recently announced my Republican candidacy for D.A. in this fall’s election.
I’m not a politician and I’ve never run for public office. Instead, I’m a public servant who has dedicated his life to improving the safety of our community, and to helping protect those who are most vulnerable. I’m ready to bring my unique combination of experience – as a police officer and as an attorney – to serve the people of Saratoga County.
There is no better training for serving as District Attorney than working the streets in law enforcement. My years with the Rensselaer Police Department trained me in so many aspects of the law and human nature, and these lessons learned became even clearer once I became an attorney.
For the past 15 years, I’ve operated a successful law firm in Saratoga Springs focused on defense work on felonies, misdemeanors and violations across 12 counties. I’ve also worked extensively in Family Court on matters of custody, visitation and domestic violence, and have served as an Adjunct Professor of Criminal Justice at the Sage Colleges.
This experience has shown that justice is about doing what’s right for people no matter what. It’s not about seeking a conviction at all costs. It’s not about being soft on crime. And it’s certainly not about letting cases slip through the cracks because the prosecutors weren’t adequately prepared or the right paperwork wasn’t filed in court. I don’t believe our current District Attorney is getting the job done adequately. So, after giving it plenty of contemplation, I decided that I had to act. Someone needs to get things back on the right track. Someone needs to help law enforcement. Someone needs to help victims of crime. Someone needs to help ensure that those who are accused of crimes receive fair and just treatment. Someone needs to provide impartial and competent leadership from the top.
I’m ready to be that someone. I’m ready to continue my lifetime of service the public as your new District Attorney and I look forward to an open and positive dialogue with the voters in the coming months.