Meet the Uncontested Candidates for TOE Justice: Janet Calano

Continuing our coverage of the Town of Eastchester (TOE) political candidates for this November’s elections, we profile the two uncontested and incumbent candidates for Town Justice, Janet Calano and Domenick Porco. Recently, Patch sat down with Calano to find out more about her and her views heading into the fall elections.

Calano, a graduate of Pace University Law School, has been practicing law in her private practice – along with her husband, Michael A. Calano – since 1986. She has also served as Deputy Town Attorney and Town Attorney from 1994 to 2003, and has experience handling both criminal and civil matters. In the past, Calano has also held positions such as President of the Eastchester School Foundation, President of the Eastchester Bar Association, and is a member of the Columbian Lawyers, Westchester Bar Association, NYS Bar Association and Magistrate’s Association. Calano has three children ranging from 18 to 10 years old, and has lived in Eastchester since 1983.

Here’s what Calano had to say about this November’s TOE elections:

Patch-1: Imagine you were speaking with someone completely unfamiliar with local government. How would you describe the duties and responsibilities of the position for which you are running for? [Town Justice]

Janet Calano: The Town Justice provides the venue where felony defendants are arraigned and misdemeanor local criminal cases are adjudicated, along with building department violations and civil cases such as Landlord Tenant, small claims, parking and traffic, etc. It provides the venue where civil claims can be pursued on a local level, much like the People’s Court. 

Patch-2: What do you see as the single most critical issue facing the Town of Eastchester Board in the coming years of the term for which you are running? How could this issue affect your responsibilities as Town Justice?

Calano: The Town Board faces major fiscal issues as does every municipality. We must be fiscally responsible in running the Town Court. As a result, we have consolidated positions to save on salaries, benefits, etc., although our Court calendar has significantly increased.

Patch-3: Why might an Eastchester resident come into contact with you on a day-to-day basis, and what kind of information or services needed could you provide them with?

Calano: In the Courtroom, if a resident has a matter before me, particularly in Small Claims Court, I am able to guide them through the process by explaining our procedures in simple terms.

Patch-4: Is there anything we haven't discussed that you would like the residents of Eastchester to know about the candidate, Janet Calano?

Calano: I bring my professionalism and integrity to the Courtroom, and the Town of Eastchester residents should be secure in knowing that I will continue to make decisions which will keep our Town safe while acting fairly and impartially in administering the laws of the Town of Eastchester, State of New York.

Check back with Patch tomorrow for our interview with the second uncontested and incumbent candidate for TOE Justice, Domenick Porco. Click on the name of the following candidates for their interview: , , , .