The Democratic Caucus as decided to decline to appoint someone to the Zyra Committee to select a new Public Defender. In a letter to Legislature President, Minority Leader Harry Bronson stated that the committee as currently configured does not achieve the goal of a merit based selection process. Attempts to convince Republicans to use the process that worked so well in 1974 and 1977 have been ignored. I think the Democratic Caucus made the right decision. Though normally I would say you need to be at the table to “keep ‘em honest” sometimes you need to step away from the table to not give them “cover”. Having ONE community person on the committee comprised of Legislature appointees will not bring the independence to the process that was SO important in 1974 and in 1977. At that time the advisory committee was selected from outsidethe Legislature, by the Monroe County Bar Association. It was comprised of community members, lawyers and judges. The current process being set up by President Zyra is a sham and both the Bar Association and the Democratic Caucus have refused to participate in it. I say —  good for them!

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3 Responses to “Democrats Decline to Support the Public Defender Sham Committee”

• Exile on Ericsson St. says:

  December 20, 2007 at 9:08 am

  You’re pretty well plugged in (to say the least!): do you think it’s likely the Republicans will try to push DiRaddo through for the PD job?

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• Carla Palumbo says:

  December 20, 2007 at 9:32 am

  I doubt it, remember he has the job of Town Attorney in Greece, not a bad gig! I heard there was an insider at the PD’s office who was friends with the right people (who may be perfectly qualified but if we never get to a merit process we arent going to know!)The problem with a “fixed” process is no other good candidates will apply figuring they are wasting their time!

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• » Carla Palumbo Speaks Up on Public Defenders » DragonFlyEye.Net says:

  December 20, 2007 at 8:43 am

  [...] » Democrats Decline to Support the Public Defender Sham Committee » Carla Palumbo Though normally I would say you need to be at the table to “keep ‘em honest” sometimes you need to step away from the table to not give them “cover”. Having ONE community person on the committee comprised of Legislature appointees will not bring the independence to the process that was SO important in 1974 and in 1977. SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: “Carla Palumbo Speaks Up on Public Defenders”, url: “http://dragonflyeye.net/blog/2007/12/20/carla-palumbo-speaks-up-on-public-defenders/” }); Tagged With: Legislature [...]

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