Rockland Candidate Profile: Walsh For District Attorney

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

Thomas E. Walsh II is running for Rockland County District Attorney. His opponent is Mike Diederich. Walsh, who is a Democrat, is running on the Democrat, Republican, and Conservative party lines. Diederich is the SAM candidate on the November ballot.

Walsh, 71, served as an Assistant County Attorney in Rockland from 1976 – 2008. Most recently he has served on the bench. Posts include:

• Justice of Supreme Court, Ninth Judicial District 2016-19
• Judge of the Surrogate’s Court, Rockland County 2008-15
• Acting Justice of Supreme Court 2009-16
• Acting Judge of Surrogate’s Court, Westchester County 2015-16
• Acting Judge of the Family Court, Rockland County 2008
• Town Justice, Town of Haverstraw 2007-08
• Village Justice, Village of Haverstraw 1983 – 2016
• Acting Village Justice, Village of Spring Valley 2005 & 2007

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:

• Orangetown Candidate Profile: Kenny For Town Supervisor
• Clarkstown Candidate Profile: Feiden For Clarkstown Town Justice
• Rockland Candidate Profile: Wolfe For County Legislature
• Rockland Candidate Profile: Foley For County Legislature
• Clarkstown Candidate Profile: Tannenbaum For Town Council Ward 2
• Rockland Candidate Profile: Vivian Street For County Legislature
• Rockland Candidate Profile: Diederich For District Attorney
• Rockland Candidate Profile: Low-Hogan For County Legislature
  

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

While there are many important issues facing the next district attorney, I believe the opioid and heroin epidemic is the most pressing issue.

In the United States, approximately 130 people die every day from opioid-related drug overdoses, resulting in a staggering figure of over 47,000 deaths annually. It’s tragic.

Earlier this year, I released a plan to address this crisis called “HOPE for Rockland,” which will focus on four important areas: a helping but firm hand; offering alternatives to incarceration; proactive law enforcement measures; and education.

As district attorney, I am responsible for prosecuting those who break our laws. However, in dealing with the opioid crisis we must come to terms with the fact that we cannot arrest our way out of this epidemic.

As such, my office will partner with Hope Not Handcuffs — Hudson Valley, aimed at bringing law enforcement and treatment organizations together in an effort to find treatment options for individuals seeking help for addiction.

Moreover, I will work with local lawmakers and state legislators to enact legislation requiring all public buildings to have Narcan on site. In addition, we will offer free seminars to teach people how to administer this life-saving medication and we will partner with law enforcement and local pharmacies to host monthly Drug Take Back Days. Finally, my office will assist the county in holding pharmaceutical companies civilly liable for this deadly epidemic.

My initiative “Hope for Rockland" offers the right balance of enforcement, and a greater focus on prevention, treatment and alternative to incarceration programs to address this crisis. Together we can provide “Hope” for Rockland in battling this epidemic here in our county.

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

The next District Attorney must 1) enforce the law without fear or favor; 2) prosecute, not persecute; regulate, not discriminate; and rehabilitate, not debilitate; and 3) work to unite Rockland County, not divide it. Based on the strong support I have received from the law enforcement community, including our local, state, and New York City PBAs, I believe I have the experience, legal acumen, and temperament necessary to accomplish these goals and serve as the next District Attorney. Furthermore, there are numerous issues that require the attention of the District Attorney, which I have addressed by releasing significant policy proposals. Unfortunately, my opponent has failed to address any of these important law enforcement issues and has shown no ability or inclination to do so.

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

I believe the District Attorney's office needs to improve upon the good work of the prior District Attorney. I am committed to improving communication with the public and law enforcement, advancing critical policies and initiatives to address issues like the opioid epidemic and crimes against revenue (tax, Medicaid, and Welfare fraud), and finally, ensuring that the office has the training and resources it needs to better perform its duties.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Over the course of this campaign, I have laid out my vision for the office of District Attorney, and my plans to protect our communities, preserve our quality of life, and ensure that Rockland County remains a great place to live, work, raise a family, and ultimately retire, where no one will have to leave.

First and foremost, as District Attorney, I will be an independent voice for Rockland County and work every day to put you, the people of this county, before politics. No one is above the law and I will fight every day to ensure just that.

Second, over the last few months, I have spent a lot of time meeting with District Attorney’s across the Hudson Valley to discuss many of the criminal justice reforms that will take effect in January. They have expressed deep concern about some of the reforms, especially as it relates to bail reform and the timing of open discovery.

What is critical to ensuring equality and justice for both the accused and the victims, is that we have the staff – prosecutors, support staff, and IT staff – necessary to implement these reforms. I’m hopeful that these much needed positions will be included in this year’s budget.

In addition, a top priority for my office will be to ensure proper training for our prosecutors and staff, as well as improved communication and coordination with our local police departments.

Finally, I think it is important that our state legislators work with us to secure additional grants and funding to help implement these reforms and address any issues that may arise as these reforms take effect.

Third, as District Attorney, I will:

STOP political corruption and enforce the law without fear or favor.
COMBAT the Heroin and Opioid Crisis plaguing our communities.
PROTECT taxpayers from waste, fraud, and abuse by prosecuting Crimes Against Revenue (CARP).
CREATE new specialized prosecution units to protect seniors, women, children and our immigrant community.
PROTECT victims of gun violence, domestic abuse, and sexual assault.
ESTABLISH a working group to ensure that justice prevails in cases where a wrongful conviction occurred.

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

I have a 43-year legal record, including over 35 years of judicial experience at the local, county, and state level. Throughout my career, I have treated everyone who has appeared before me with respect and fairness. As District Attorney, I will do the same. I have the experience, legal acumen, and temperament to handle the rigors of this job, ensure public safety, and enforce the law without fear or favor.

The best advice ever shared with me was …

Judge a case by the facts, not its appearance.

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

Like many of you, I am concerned about the future of our county, and the corrosive political corruption that has harmed our communities. Integrity in our government and our public servants is crucial. As your next District Attorney, I will change the corrupt culture in our county by encouraging citizens to take an active role in their government and by holding people accountable for their actions.

I believe now more than ever, we need honest, independent, principled leadership and someone with the right experience to serve as our next District Attorney. I am dedicated to serving our community. We need a united Rockland, not a divided one. Together, we can address the many important and critical issues we are facing.

Regardless of who votes for me, one thing I can guarantee is that I will be an independent voice for Rockland County and will enforce the law without fear of favor. No one is above the law, and I will ensure that.