The Suffolk Conservative Party has endorsed Republican Betty Manzella, cousin of convicted former Suffolk Republican chairman John Powell, for county legislature to take on freshman Democrat Legis. Kate Browning. But the party also gave its line to three Democratic lawmakers, two of them freshmen, according to party chairman Edward Walsh.
The Democrats that Conservatives backed include freshmen Legis. Wayne Horsley of Babylon and Louis D’Amaro of Deer Park, along with Presiding Officer William Lindsay of Holbrook.
While Conservatives frequently align with Republicans, Walsh said all the Democrats they chose to back "screened well. Lindsay has run the legislature in a non-partisan way. Horsley has been active in spurring business and D'Amaro has been an ardent backer of [County Executive Steve] Levy's agenda of being fiscally prudent and pro-active on law enforcement."
Rick Brand
Walsh also said Manzella has "always been a professional" in her job at the the Suffolk Board of Elections and "blew the doors off" the screening committee. He also doubted that her family ties would be a problem. "Your cousin could be a murderer, but it doesn't make you bad," he said. Powell was convicted of bribe taking and being involved in an illegal truck chop shop and spent 18 months in federal prison.
The Conservative executive committee, in voting Wedesday night, also gave its backing to Republican Vincent Trimarco Jr. of Hauppauge for the county legislature against incumbent Legis. John Kennedy (R-Nesconset), a sign that Kennedy is unlikely to get GOP backing.
The Conservatives also backed Republican attorney Brian Egan from Patchogue against Legis. Jack Eddington (D-Medford), and Republican Irene D’Abramo, an county elections worker, to challenge Legis. Vivian Vilora Fisher (D-Setauket). They also gave their backing to PBA vice president Thomas Muratore in the open fourth district seat being vacated by Legis. Joseph Caraccapa, who can not run for re-election because of term limits. Muratore will face Democrat Brian Beedenbender, an aide to County Executive Steve Levy.
The Conservatives also backed Legis. Thomas Barraga (R-West Islip), despite anger over his continued run for Islip Supervisor last year after losing the GOP primary. But Conservatives have made no endorsements in four other races involving Democratic incumbent Legis. Steve Stern of Dix Hills, Ricardo Montano of Central Islip, Elie Mystal of North Amityville and Jon Cooper of Lloyd Harbor. In all but Cooper’s race, Republicans gave Conservatives no candidates to screen. Walsh still held out the possibility the party could still back someone if Republicans present a strong candidate.
Walsh said Conservatives have also "wholeheartedly" decided to back Conservative Family Court Judge Ettore Simeone for re-election, despite a censure from the state commission on judicial conduct.
Comments (23)
I cannot believe that the Conservative leadership ourt. This is a warning to women that the party is in the hands of male chauvinists who think that it is alright for a Family Court judge to screw around on his wife, allow his illicit partner to testify in court without recusing himself. Gone is the ethical party who sends a message that doing the right thing is rewarded. Bad party leadership. The party is headed downhill. Send the message that breaking apart your family is ok.
Edward Walsh likens John Powell to a murderer?? That is the dumbest quote from the mindless wonder of our Party so far.
Walsh never compared Powell to a murderer. He simply made an analogy that you cannot be held accountable for something a cousin may have done.
Judge Simeone is the most UNETHETICAL person on the bench.
SHAME ON YOU ED WALSH, SHAME
Not all conservatives are " wholeheartedly " backing Simeone. Time for a primary of which I know something. This is a bad call. Bad family values are bad politics.
and to whom is the Conservative Leadership blog directed? It proves my point that the Conservative Party is in the hands of ignorant male chauvinists whose remarks are indicative of viewing families and women in a negative manner.
ettore simeone is disgusting. family court judge with no family values. amazing how he's running, stern commission came down hard on him, the public needs to know
Eddie Walsh? Please the guy is an bird brain who is trying to sink his teeth into our party. If we were smart we would decline his nomination and move forward with a bill that would only allow nominations from our party and the republicans. these minor parties are a bunch of slobs.
This Eileen Bisges is not very bright. This is Newsday Blogs, they determine what they write about as far as Mz. Bisges her comments are unqualified and make no sense! As far as family values go you good not hold a candle to Walsh.
please expose simeone for the judge he is and how he abused his powers so that the stern commission censured him.
newsday, tell us more
Hey Get Real...Tell us about Eileen and Elaine's marriages. I guess if they are tawdry enough you Conservatives will run them for Family Court.
I know where get real was on November20, 1996. Does Get Real's significant partner know ? What assinine bs. Our party is in the hands of mental midgets. No wonder they are nominating Simeone, which must be done by petition by the way and they can talk all they want. Someone should run a primary against this skell and give these creeps a lesson. Let them spend their 100,000.00 they raised on protecting Simeone instead of feeding their fat faces.
The Executive committee agreed on supporting Simeone who the bar association found qualified. Petitions will have to be circulated for all judicial candidates and nobody is guaranteed any lines in a judicial race. There could be judicial primaries in each party.
We are still waiting, Get Real. Waiting for the real dirt on those ladies' marriages. Waiting for you to stop imparting petition dribble and hear all the facts that the " old timers ' know about your former County Chairman, Elaine Leerer, who waged wars to keep the bench clean. Then we all will sit back while she sues the crap out of you for libel. By the way, nobody is guaranteed any lines in any race, any race can be primaried. Ask Joan Johnson, who supported partial birth abortion and she lost a Conservative Primary. Family values Bozo, respect for life, Bozo, thats what the Conservative Party used to be about. Simeone probably knows where some embarassing crap is buried.
oh !!! the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE found Simeone qualified. How many lawyers are on the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ? The BAR ASSOCIATION found Simeone qualified. Well !! no self interest there. We all know how honorable the BAR ASSOCIATION is and how non-political. What did the court watchers association say ? Get Real should change your name to How Phoney.
i am begging newsday to expose this creep judge. sceevy guy
UPDATE...UPDATE...The Democrats have nominated Theresa Whelan for this seat. If at dinner she discusses law with Judge Tom Whelan, she couldn't go to a better law source. If he would just remove his face from Frank MacKay's behind we could see him more clearly. At least Theresa Whelan will give Conservatives some place to vote for Family Court Judge. GET REAL the editor fairy has taken your blog and that of CONSERVATIVE LEADERSHIP off the page. Shame, shame. We are still waiting for your domestic update on my marriage from the " old timers "
Conservatives supporting Dems again, Good Grief !
Huntington finally was able to restore real leadership and accountability back to the conservative party.
But what does the county leaders do they back Lou D'Amaro who hasn't done a thing for the town.
And as for being for law enforcement Legislator Lou was the instigator of the 2nd precinct auxillary substation being taken out of Huntington Station.
Said the crime there wasn't all that bad. Yeah right whats a few stabbings and shootings anyway !
It is a crime that a judge who has violated the public trust, his oath, judicial and legal ethics is holding himself out as an honorable jurist. We need to clean up the courts and restore public trust. Family court is no place for a man who failed to disclose gross conflicts of interest and was found to have committed ethical breaches which led to his censure. Now Newsday is reporting that he may have overstepped the rules on judges purchasing tickets to political fundraisers.
This is from a recent Rick Brand column: "Simeone also raised eyebrows last month at Suffolk Conservative Chairman Edward Walsh's mega-fundraiser, when signs bearing the judge's name adorned three tables - 30 seats in all. Judicial rules limit judges to buying two tickets to such events. Simeone said he only bought two $250 tickets himself. His explanation for the others, who were friends and family: "A lot of people wanted to sit with me." "
Any judge that has already been censured should make every effort to avoid any further questions or inquiries into his ethics. Who solicited all those extra seats, Judge? You are not saying I suppose. The NYS Bar Association clearly needs to examine this in order to find out if this judge has violated any additional ethics rules. The mere fact that this happened again with Simeone shows he lacks judgment and must go. The people of Suffolk deserve so much better than this.
Complaints about unethical fundraising should be filed on the website of the Commission of Judicial Conduct:
http://www.scjc.state.ny.us/filing_a_complaint.htm
well ANGRY VOTER you have a right to be upset. The rules are...a judge may buy TWO tickets but at COST so that he is not contributing to a political party. It seems that Simeone is still ignoring the rules. What else is new.
About Judge Simeone:
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.
Why is this Courtwatcher being an appologist for Simeone ? All of their reports are confidential and as they are not an official entity, just pap to keep the public pacified.
Judge Simone and the rest of the family court sysem should be removed. Simone is disscusting. I am a father who was very upset that my daughter was pulling bad grades in college. I wanted to make a contract with her . I refused to pay for poor grades. My Ex took me to court and this idiot ruled against me. He is not for the children he has no vlues and morals.