To the Editor:

In part 2 of Paul Valentino’s letter, he attacks Court personnel to support my opponent, who is shamefully allowing it. This is my public response.

Mr. Valentino attacks Nicole Duvé, who gave me the chance to be Chief Assistant District Attorney and prosecute crimes committed against children. She was just promoted to the head of the Franklin County DSS Legal Department so obviously she doesn’t need a job from me. Mr. Moses should congratulate her for achieving a position that he was never able to achieve when he worked for DSS.

Then Mr. Moses allowed his surrogate to slander his fellow Republican, Hon. Robert G. Main, Jr., by calling him a “leftist.” The attacks proceeded to Hon. John Richey, our Surrogate Court Judge, and Shannon Bessette, Support Magistrate, who would answer to Mr. Moses if he won.

Mr. Valentino and apparently Mr. Moses, called Judges and Court personnel, including me, “relay race- runners” because they have a problem with people traveling to our county to help us.

Judges Main, Champagne, Coffinger, Murphy, Smith, and Hobbs have all come to St. Lawrence County to help cover Judge Storie’s court. They live in Franklin, Hamilton, Saratoga, and Warren Counties. Most are Republicans. Mr. Moses should just say “thank you” for their help.

And what do any of these people have to do with this campaign?

Mr. Moses has admitted that he has so many conflicts of interest here that he has only been able to handle a few Family Court cases in the last four years. Those conflicts will follow him to the bench if he wins. Why would Mr. Moses run for Family Court Judge in St. Lawrence County if he has so many conflicts that he could possibly not serve at all? Would he then become a “relay race-runner” to serve other counties?

In a public debate, Mr. Moses could explain his “concern” about Judge Main, who he has apparently forgotten is a Conservative Republican and has served the people of the North Country faithfully for 34 years. Maybe Mr. Moses can explain his “conflicts” preventing himself from serving. Perhaps Mr. Moses could even explain how political party affiliation matters to a child in Family Court.

But Mr. Moses refuses to debate and hides behind surrogates. He would rather distract us with attacks against Judges and other dedicated public servants who have nothing to do with his campaign. Why?

Alexander Lesyk, Esq.
St. Lawrence County Family Court Judge Candidate
Norwood