As November approaches, people's thoughts have been turning to the various elections and races that are going on at both the national and the local level.

Things are no different in Ellenville, and to try and give voters an informed choice when they hit the polls in a few weeks, here's a bit of a closer look at the two candidates running for the position of Village Justice: Republican Dan Johnson and incumbent Democrat Matt Parker, who has held the position of Village Justice for 14 years.

Dan Johnson
Born and raised in Ellenville, Dan Johnson is a newcomer to the political scene, though he says that he's always been active in community affairs behind the scenes, such as pitching in as a coach and umpire for little league and the Ed Jacobs Soccer League. He also has been active with the Wawarsing Masonic Lodge for many years, and was a former master. He and his family have contributed to various school scholarships and food donations, but never did so in such a way as to attract attention to themselves.

In addition to his work with the community, Johnson, who currently lives in the house he was raised in, is a building-materials salesman for Williams Lumber. He says that one of the reasons he hasn't sought political office before now is because he's always concentrated all his efforts on his job and on raising a family. Now that his four children are grown, however, he decided to pursue the seat of Village Justice after being asked by Republican Party Chairman John Constable.

"I have always devoted quiet intensity to anything I have done which includes my dedication to work, to my friends, to the area and to any undertaking," he says. "The position of Village Justice would receive no less."

When asked about his idea of an ideal Village Justice, Johnson believes that one ought to be an active member of the community.

"The constitution was founded with the idea of citizen legislators," he says. "That was the idea of the founders. I think on a local level, when I grew up in Ellenville, the justices were local businessmen such as Ron Elias and Joe Polonsky. My idea is a highly regarded local citizen who works hard, knows the community, knows the people in the community, and I think it's time for a change in the community in general."

Johnson elaborates on just what he means by this kind of change. "I am a political neophyte," he writes in an e-mail after his interview. "While politics has always been a passion of mine — I have never run for any office and while I know all the current leaders in both parties well, I have no ties or responsibilities to the current leadership in the Village of Ellenville, which I consider a benefit in affecting change in the village. The voters have a choice between the way it has been for the last 14 years and continuing down the path we are on or a distinct change in our village."

When asked about the process it has taken the Republican Party to choose him as a candidate — prior to Johnson, the party chose two other candidates, one of whom dropped out, the other who was found to be ineligible — Johnson chalks it up to serendipity.

"John [Constable] didn't know I lived in the village," he recounts. After Constable asked him to run, he thought it over for a few days and decided to go for it. "I'm really enjoying it," he says of running for office. "I'm having a great time meeting people, and making connections with people I don't know."

Matt Parker
Born in Plattsburgh and raised on Long Island, Matt Parker has inhabited the position of Village Justice for 14 years, and he cites over 34 years of law enforcement experience as what qualifies him for the position for which he's seeking reelection. His experience covers a wide range, having been a member of the US Army's Military Police, the Plattekill Police Department, a corrections officer in Fishkill, and a New York State Trooper at the Ellenville Barracks for nine years. He's also graduated from the State Correctional Academy, the Bureau of Municipal Police Academy, not to mention a degree in American and English Literature from SUNY New Paltz.

In addition to his familiarity with the law, Parker has served his community as a member of the Cook Taylor American Legion Post, had been elected to the Board of Fire Commissioners with the Ellenville Fire District, has contributed to the Fourth of July Committee, and has been a longtime member of the Noonday Club.

"I've dedicated my entire career to serving and protecting my community," says Parker.

Parker first came to the judge's bench when he was asked if he would serve as Acting Village Justice, who functions much like an alternate to the elected position of Village Justice. When the position became open, Parker decided to run, and he's looking to add another term to his tenure.

However, earlier this year, it looked as though Parker would be moving to a new position, when he was appointed as the replacement Town Justice after the tragic and unexpected death of Town Justice William O'Brien. He had planned to run for the Town Justice position this November after serving as the appointed judge, but when Ellenville's Acting Village Justice Harvey Levine had to take a leave of absence to recover from surgery, Parker resigned from the appointed post in order to fulfill his obligation to the Village Court. When asked about why he decided not to pursue the Town Justice seat this fall, Parker says that he considered his options, and decided to stay with the position he knows so well.

"After thinking about it and speaking to my wife, we decided that the village is where I live, the village is where I've served, and the village is where I belong," he says.

Judge Parker also discusses his position on the use of bail, responding to a question about whether or not the bails he set are too low.

"People misunderstand bail sometimes," he says. "It's only used to ensure the return of the accused to court, and it's often predicated on the severity of the crime." For instance, someone accused of a misdemeanor will get a lower bail than one who is accused of a felony.

"Unless the district attorney makes an appeal in writing to the court alleging there's a threat to the community, that's the only circumstance a judge can use to set [higher] bail.

"People sometimes want to use bail as a punishment," he says. "But no one has been convicted; you're presumed innocent of the crime until proven guilty."

Parker also comments on his opponent, Dan Johnson.

"I respect that he's throwing his hat into the ring to run for public office," he says. "Anyone placing themselves in a position to serve the community should be applauded.

"That said, look at my experience, and look at what he's said are his experiences — who would you want to be your judge if you were in court?

"Over the years, I've run my court and exhibited fairness and integrity in the application of the law, and I would like my record of accomplishment and experience to speak for itself," he continued.

"I appreciate that I've been elected twice by the people of the Village of Ellenville. It's always a humbling experience to have the support of people where you live," he concluded.

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