Napierski is a judge for all the people

To the Editor:

I am responding to the numerous inconsistencies in the open letter [a paid advertisement] last week titled “A Fair and Square Deal” written by Guilderland Democratic Committee member Betty Head. As a citizen of the town of Guilderland, I would like to answer the questions you’ve posed.

— Judge Napierski has decided to challenge for the Democratic nomination because she is the most qualified individual for the position as shown by the unanimous vote of the Guilderland Town Board. In order to challenge for the nomination, her campaign needs to raise money to compete with the Democratic machine of Judge Napierski’s opponent.

This has not been well planned in advance as Judge Napierski only found out about her denial for the nomination in mid-May. Judge Napierski has never run for any political office before. As for having a “well-oiled machine,” this is actually quite ridiculous. However, thank you for the compliment. Judge Napierski was told by the Committee that one reason she didn’t get the nomination is because she never ran a campaign before;

— Let me answer your question regarding Judge Napierski running on the Conservative Party line. She has been a proud Democrat all her life. That’s why Judge Napierski is seeking the Democratic nomination.

However, it has always been the tradition of Guilderland judicial candidates to seek endorsements from other parties. This was actually the idea of town Supervisor Peter Barber who invited her to the Conservative Party Spring Fling where we had dinner with Mr. Barber, Democratic Vice Chairman Dennis Feeney, Conservative Greg Wier, and other elected Democrats from the Town of Guilderland.

A judicial candidate’s acceptance of an endorsement does not mean the candidate endorses everything in the party’s platform. A judge should be free to be impartial and be a judge for all people.

— Yes, Judge Napierski did do a get-to-know-you political event at the home of a Republican. This individual graciously opened her home to her Democratic friends. She passionately believes that Judge Napierski has been wronged and is the most qualified candidate for this important town position. Judge Napierski has held many free political events at friends’ homes. She is a judge for all the people, not just a party affiliation.

Thank you. I hope this answers your questions and clears up your numerous inconsistencies.

Tony Siracusa

Guilderland

Editor’s note: Tony Siracusa is the husband of Judge Christine Napierski.

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