The Advocate
Richard Blassberg

Up-Coming Nominations For State Supreme Court: A Good Test Of Westchester County Republican Party’s Credibility

The resignation of Republican State Supreme Court Justice Larry Horowitz, under a cloud of judicial misconduct, within the last several
days, brings to three the number of Supreme Court Seats to be contested in the up-coming races in the Ninth Judicial District. That advent
now sets up an excellent opportunity for the Westchester Republican Committee to demonstrate that it is capable of being taken seriously
by separating itself from the corrupt nominating practices of the past that visited upon their constituents such inferior and undeserving jurists as Horowitz and Joseph Alessandro, both products of scandalous fixed election deals.

Particularly, given the ‘changing of the guard’, with the stepping down of Rosemarie Panio, the opportunity exists to breath integrity,
indeed, new life into the Republican Party by rejecting the ways of the past; the anointing of totally inappropriate and inexperienced
political hacks with judicial nominations. What good purpose, after all, was served when Larry Horowitz, having agreed to stand-in as
a Republican “faker” against Andy Spano for County Executive in 2001, was then rewarded with an appointment to the County Court so
that he might then run, with robes on, for State Supreme Court?

If Doug Colety is foolish enough to ignore the ever-increasing public outcry over rampant judicial misconduct, particularly in Westchester State Supreme Court-Matrimonial Part, not to mention ongoing federal scrutiny of the Criminal Part, and fails to propose candidates for nomination who possess both the experience and temperament to perform competently and fairly, his party will surely pay the price at
the polls.

Two of the seats that will be contested come from Rockland Judges William Sherwood, who has announced his intention to seek another four-teen year term, and Alfred Weiner who has reached the mandatory retirement age. The third seat, however, is the one vacated by Larry Horowitz. That seat offers the Westchester Republican Committee a wonderful opportunity to redeem itself by not nominating another politically-connected “Horror Show.” What is called for is a Republican County Court Judge with proven dedication, and experience; a jurist whose record and reputation the party can be proud of, and motivated to go out and work for. And, given the voter registration statistics in Westchester, what is needed is a proven campaigner, one who has demonstrated “cross-over appeal” to Democrats.

County Court, and Acting Supreme Court Justice Rory J. Bellantoni, fills the bill in every way. Having graduated from Fordham University
Suma Cum Laude, and Phi Beta Kappa, in 1991, Bellantoni went on to Fordham Law, graduating on the Dean’s List in 1995. He went
to work in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. And, from there he went on to become a Senior Assistant District Attorney in Rockland County.

In final preparation for his career as a jurist, he served as Law Clerk, and Court Attorney to the Hon. Sam Walker. Presently presiding
over the Westchester County Sex Offender Court, Bellantoni has served as County Court Judge presiding over the most serious felony
cases. Rounding out his experience, he served two years as an Acting Family Court Judge. The Westchester Bar Association found him “well qualified” to serve as a Supreme Court Justice.

Judge Rory J. Bellantoni is someone whose life’s ambition has always been to do exactly what he has been doing for the past several years. Nominating him for State Supreme Court will be a great service not only to the Republican Party of Westchester, but to the People of the Ninth Judicial District.