Just call him “Mr. Conservative.”
Republican Assemb. Michael Fitzpatrick won the Conservative Party’s first annual “Visionary” award Monday night for having the most Conservative voting record in Albany last year.
Fitzpatrick (R-St. James) garnered a 88 percent rating from the party in 25 key bills, outdistancing every other lawmaker in either house of the State Legislature, including his nearest rival upstate Assemb. Brian Kolb (R-Canandaigua) by four percentage points. In the Senate, his closest competitors were Sen. Mary Lou Rath (R-Williamsville) and Stephen Saland (R-Poughkeepsie), who each scored 76 percent.
Fitzpatrick accepted the honor Monday night from state Chairman Michael Long at the party’s 40th annual Conservative Party Political Action Conference at the Holiday Inn in Albany.
“It was a nice surprise no one told me it was coming,” said Fitzpatrick, 49, a St. James resident. “I’m proud of it, I believe in Conservative principles...and there’s a need for a Conservative voice up here, even though we’re in a very navy blue state.”
Fitzpatrick is no stranger to walking alone. Only last week he was the only member of the Long Island delegation not to vote for his former Assembly colleague Thomas DeNapoli for comptroller.
-- Rick Brand
Comments (2)
Bogus BS. Betty Manzella is not John Powells cousin. You should get it right before you say anything on this issue. Is a law suit to follow?
Hon. Ettore A. Simeone
Hon. Ettore Simeone is a graduate of the State University of New York at Binghamton
and Albany Law School. From 1981 to 1989, he served as an assistant district attorney for
Suffolk County. From 1990 to 1997, he served as principal law clerk to State Supreme Court
Justice H. Patrick Leis III. In 1997, he was appointed to the Suffolk County Family Court by
Governor George E. Pataki on an interim basis and elected to the Family Court the following
year.
Judge Simeone was observed by ten monitors on eleven different days.
Demeanor
The monitors described Judge Simeone as "calm," "courteous," and "respectful to
everyone." One monitor praised, "Judge Simeone cares for the children." Another described the
judge as "like a father who was sympathetic yet firm."
Monitors praised the manner in which Judge Simeone interacted with children and others
involved in the proceedings. One monitor was impressed that he talked to the involved children,
"letting them know that they were empowered to make things better or worse." This monitor
also pointed out that Judge Simeone used "certificates, pictures with the judge and applause" to
encourage the children. Another monitor recounted a case in which a sign language translator
was used with parents who were both profoundly hearing impaired. This monitor praised the
judge for his patience with the parents and the translator: “the parents were agitated but the judge
explained and explained until the [parents]] understood their rights and the consequences of their
behavior plus the reasons for his numerous [rulings] in the case.”
Professionalism
Monitors found Judge Simeone to be "highly professional." They stressed that he was
“very knowledgeable” on all observed cases and gave clear and thorough explanations, and
"made sure he was understood." Another monitor noted, "His questions to petitioners were clear
and on point." One monitor was impressed that he explained “which options were available for
each litigant” particularly which program would best suit them.
Monitors praised Judge Simeone for the efficient manner in which he conducted
proceedings. One monitor remarked, "Judge Simeone ran a very efficient courtroom with the
very willing cooperation of his staff." One monitor was impressed with efforts not to waste time
when a placement for a child had to be arranged. The monitor observed that the judge or a
member of his staff would “on the spot” call the agency to start the placement process. On another occasion Judge Simeone was actively involved in assuring that the afternoon session
ended on time in keeping with new overtime rules for staff.
Monitors also were impressed by the formality of proceedings in Judge Simeone's
courtroom. Two monitors were impressed that, in their experience, only Judge Simeone began
the day with the Pledge of Allegiance. One monitor noted, "It was an effective reminder of
where were and what was happening." Another approvingly observed, "This was [only] the
second courtroom here in family court where we were asked to rise each time the judge entered."
Command of the Courtroom
In general, monitors reported that Judge Simeone was in “good” control of his courtroom.
Audibility
Some monitors had difficulty hearing Judge Simeone and suggested, “The judge should
speak up.” Noise from the hallway and opening doors was reported as a problem attributed his
inaudibility.