The Northern Westchester Examiner

New Peekskill Council Appoints City Judge

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The new Peekskill Common Council appointed Reginald Johnson as city court judge during its first meeting on New Year’s Day.

However, the repeated call for a spirit of cooperation amongst the four Democrat, three Republican board quickly turned into a partisan sparring match as Mayor Frank  Catalina and GOP councilmen Joe Torres and Vincent Vesce abstained from voting for Johnson, a Democrat.

Catalina said Johnson appeared well qualified for the 10-year judgeship but he without having an opportunity to interview him or any of the other candidates he couldn’t take part in the vote.

“I would abstain from the vote no matter who the candidate is,” he said. “It’s unfortunate that Judge Maher had to go out on this note.”

Johnson will be filling the seat on the city bench held for the last 26 years by William Maher, a Republican.

“I love the City of Peekskill and it will make it that more special that I’m a city court judge,” Johnson said. “I’m excited and humbled and I intend to serve with passion, a good ear and a sense of fairness.”

The council also appointed Councilwoman Drew Claxton as deputy mayor, despite Catalina’s request that he be given the courtesy to make the selection as he claimed had been done by past mayors.

 

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