Clarkstown Candidate Profile: Gerber For Town Justice

NEW CITY, NY — Rockland County has several contested races in this fall's election, including in Clarkstown. New City Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Howard Gerber, a Valley Cottage resident, is one of three people running for two open seats on the Clarkstown Justice Court. Also running are Larraine Feiden and David Ascher. Gerber and Ascher have the Democratic, Conservative, Green, Working Family and Independent Party lines on the ballot. Feiden will appear on the Republican ballot line.

Gerber, who is 62, has been a sitting town judge since 2007. He has law offices in Nanuet and Elmsford. From 2002-06, he was Clarkstown's Deputy Town Attorney. Previously, he was an Arbitrator for the City Court of White Plains. He worked as an Assistant DA for both Rockland and Westchester counties.

Are you running for office in Rockland County ? Contact Lanning Taliaferro at lanning.taliaferro@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and posting campaign announcements on Patch.

Previously on Patch:

• Clarkstown Candidate Profile: Feiden For Town Justice
• Clarkstown Candidate Profile: Ascher For Town Justice
• Clarkstown Candidate Profile: Carroll For Town Council Ward 4
• Clarkstown Candidate Profile: Milich For Town Council Ward 4
• Rockland Candidate Profile: Wolfe For County Legislature
• Clarkstown Candidate Profile: Tannenbaum For Town Council Ward 2
• Clarkstown Candidate Profile: Martens For Highway Superintendent

The single most pressing issue facing our community, and what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing all the Courts in New York State, is the implementation of the recently enacted revisions to several areas of law by the State Legislature. These changes include drastic changes to the laws concerning the Age of Criminal Responsibility, Criminal Discovery, Setting Bail, Landlord Tenant Procedures, and ensuring Counsel at Arraignment. I, along with all the other judges in the Town, County and State have already been meeting and developing plans to implement these changes. Some of these plans include being available on a Countywide basis for Centralized Arraignments. As a Vice President of the County Magistrates' Association, and a member of the New York State Magistrates Association, I have already been working with Town, County and State officials, including the New York State Office of Court of Administration to make these changes work, not just Town-wide, but County-wide and State-wide as well.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Pursuant to the Judicial Ethics Rules, Judges and Candidates for Judicial Office, are not permitted comment on the qualifications of opponents.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

I am an Incumbent, having first been appointed to fill a vacancy by a bi-partisan Town Board in 2007, and voted back into office by the people of Clarkstown three times since then. I believe that I have worked hard to insure that Justice is done every single day in Clarkstown

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

As I have said before, and continue to say and do, I will apply all of my professional and personal life experiences, as a long time prosecutor, defense attorney, solo practitioner, volunteer fire department chief, and father, to the position of Town Justice. I will endeavor to insure that all people who come before The Court, defendants, plaintiffs, witnesses, jurors, police officers, and staff, are treated fairly, by a Judge who is well versed in The Law, and to see that Justice is done, every single day in the Clarkstown Justice Court.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Over twelve years on the job. Prior professional and personal experiences.

The best advice ever shared with me was …

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I have been endorsed by:
The Rockland County PBA,
The Hudson Valley Stonewall Democrats
The Rockland County Central Labor Council
Building and Construction Trades Council of Rockland County

I am active in the following community and professional organizations:
Valley Cottage Volunteer Fire Department-Chief of Department, 2012-2014
Valley Cottage Engine Company #1-President, current
Rockland County Volunteer Chiefs' Association
Rockland County Volunteer Firemen's Association
Rockland County Magistrates’ Association-Vice President, current
New York State Magistrates’ Association
Rockland County Bar Association
Rockland County Women’s Bar Association
Westchester County Bar Association
Justice Brandeis Law Society
Columbian Lawyers Association of Rockland County
New York State Defenders Association
New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
New City Chamber of Commerce
Congers Valley Cottage Rotary
Valley Cottage, Nanuet and Congers Civic Associations
Reform Temple of Rockland, PTA, NAACP

SEE: Early Voting Begins Oct. 26 In Rockland County