More About the Judge

It seems it took a while for City Hall to parse how a vacancy is filled when the elected city judge resigns the position. At first, it seemed to be a question of whether it was the mayor or the Common Council that appointed a new judge, but tonight Common Council President Don Moore informed Gossips that the New York State Uniform City Court Act supersedes the city charter in this matter. According to Section 2104, the appointed acting part-time judge--the person who fills in when the elected judge isn't available--has the option of filling the vacancy until a new election is held. If for some reason that person declines the position, the mayor appoints someone to fill the vacancy until there can be an election. The appointed acting part-time judge for the city court in Hudson is Mark Portin.