Judge Strauss: It would be my privilege to continue serving
Four years ago, I asked you to keep me as your Village Justice, while pledging to continue the good work I had begun with the court and expand its role as a force for good in our community. I now seek your support for my re-election to a second term as Monroe Village Justice.
Justice delayed is justice denied and I promised you your court would continue to offer citizens the best possible access to justice here in the village. Our court currently runs seven calendars per month – more than many other village courts – and as adjudicated nearly three-thousand civil, criminal, and code enforcement matters since 2007. We remain one of the most up-to-date local courts in New York State.
Thousands of traffic and parking matters have also been adjudicated during the same period and the court and its staff have been working steadily reducing the time frame between receipt of a traffic trial request and the defendants first scheduled appearance. Additional case tracking software has been purchased to increase tracking efficiency and the village has now hired a local prosecutor to handle traffic and parking tickets, eliminating the disparity in plea policies between the different issuing agencies that previously existed.
As your village justice I am concerned only about the fair and impartial adjudication of every case on the facts in evidence and the applicable law. However, for those who still must know, your cutting edge, fair and efficient village judicial branch continues to cost taxpayers nothing. Numerous improvements to the courts operational facilities have all been paid for by nearly $100,000 in grant monies I secured during my initial appointment and current term. Moreover, the courts revenue stream, just by the courts normal operation, exceeds its annual operating budget.
Finally, your court continues to serve as a community resource. Classes from North Main Elementary, the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts and other groups have attended special sessions of the court, where they learned more about the law and justice system. Working with Mount Saint Mary College, I also established a pre-law internship for college students who spend eight weeks working for college credit every semester. Finally, I volunteer as a judge for the NYSBA Mock Trial Competition, have taught Preventing Teen Fatality sessions with Stand Together, Inc.
I am proud of what has been accomplished and it would be my privilege to continue serving as your village justice for another four years.
Please come out and vote on March 20.
Forrest Strauss Candidate for Re-Election
Monroe Village Justice