Story and photos by Carol Montana
“I, James R. Farrell, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New York, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of District Attorney of the County of Sullivan, according to the best of my ability, so help me God.”
With those words an era ended. Actually, several eras ended on December 31, 2009. And over a hundred people witnessed the events as Jim Farrell was sworn in as Sullivan County’s newest district attorney. The date also marked the retirement of Steve Lungen, the county’s DA for the past 28 years, as well as the retirement of the man who administered Farrell’s oath of office, Judge Anthony Kane.
Surrounded by family, friends and well wishers, Farrell took the oath of office in Courtroom #1 of the Sullivan County Courthouse. He shook hands with Judge Kane. Then Farrell hugged his family, signed the oath in front of County Clerk Daniel Briggs, and held up a very large book, joking that he’d prepared some brief remarks.
“I’d like to thank everyone for coming out today,” said Farrell. “It’s truly an honor and privilege to have all this support, it means a lot to me on such an important day. … I’d also like to thank all those people who supported me during my campaign for DA … the voters of Sullivan County for overwhelmingly electing me as District Attorney … I’ll work to make them very proud.”
Engaging in a little prognostication, Farrell went on to thank “Danny Briggs (photo right), who is our county clerk, who is here to put the oath into the official books. Danny has served in a variety of positions … he was initially our country treasurer, he was our county manager, now he is our county clerk, who knows, maybe someday he’ll be our county executive. …” Farrell was referring to a recent move by some county residents who are exploring the possibility of having an elected county executive.
Farrell then acknowledged Kane’s retirement. “After 25 years of dedicated, distinguished service to the citizens of our county, Judge Kane is retiring. And Sullivan County has a strong and proud tradition of the finest jurists in the state of New York, if you look around this room, Robert Williams, Chief Judge Cooke, Judge Sidney Foster, also Chief Judge Judith Kaye. Anthony Kane is no exception to that long line of fine, distinguished jurists.
“Judge Kane, you are a fair, honest man of integrity, you’ve made us all very proud, and congratulations to you on your retirement. I am proud and honored to have had you swear me in as one of your last official acts. Thank you for that.”
Farrell conceded that the last few days had been bittersweet for him because his mentor and friend was also retiring after 28 years as Sullivan County DA. "Steve has been a constant for me in my career as a prosecutor," said Farrell, "He’s taught me how to be a prosecutor … to secure justice for victims of crimes. And for the last 28 years, the people have been able to sleep well, knowing that he’s been on the job. Crime victims have received justice, violent criminals have received justice, and innocent people have not been wrongfully convicted.”
Lungen had made these goals his life work, Farrell continued. "Under his tenure our office has achieved a reputation for regional and statewide excellence. He’s led the office with a high degree of professionalism, integrity and honesty. And I cannot underestimate, at this very moment, how important Steve Lungen has been to me both personally and professionally. To have his unqualified support during this election process has meant everything to me. … my boss, my mentor and my friend knew that I had the right stuff to be Sullivan County’s next district attorney."
Then, addressing Lungen personally, Farrell said, "You will be sorely missed, and you will go down in history as a legend in the law enforcement community in this county, there is no doubt."
Farrell also thanked his new staff, law enforcement personnel and his family.
Referring to his wife Nicole, Farrell quipped, "While I thought that I ran the campaign, I know better. I know who really did, and who put all her energy and passion – thank God she’s a school teacher, she had the summer off – into my campaign. She’s my life partner, the love of my life, my wife Nicole. Nicole, I shall always be in debt for the sacrifices and unqualified support you gave me. Thank you for all you did … I love you very much.
“To my children who also sacrificed and gave me support and encouragement, I thank you both. Douglas, you began a new school year at the Sullivan West High School, and if that wasn’t stressful enough, we were also neck-deep in a county campaign. Douglas, you handled this time in your life very well. You campaigned with us. You went to dinners, pancake breakfasts, and I’m very proud of you and the beautiful young man you’ve become. You’re a credit to this family. I love you very much, buddy.”
Laughter filled the courtroom when Farrell took out an essay that his daughter Kelsey wrote about her dad’s campaign. “To my daughter Kelsey, you were also very helpful to your dad, campaigning in ShopRite, handing out cards, pens and pads to all the shoppers, even when you really didn’t want to. I’m just going to read an essay that she wrote a few days after Labor Day. ‘My problem is that my dad is running a campaign. It’s very hard because we need lots of money to get all the stuff we need, pens, signs, pads, car magnets and car stickers. My Mom, Dad, Doug and I are doing an election. Douglas is stressed out because he has homework, and is going to a different school. It is hard on my Mom because she has school, doctor’s appointments and much more. My Dad is running around like crazy because he’s delivering signs, pens and magnets. And we are never home because we are going place to place every day. It’s not much fun.’ ”
Farrell remarked that Kelsey’s teacher wrote back that November was coming and things would get better soon.
“Kelsey, I’ll always remember the sacrifices you made to help me in this endeavor. You, too, are a credit to our family and I love you very much,” said Farrell.
Well aware that challenges lay ahead, Farrell said that he had been very well prepared and that he cares about the people of the county. He promised: to continue his crackdown on gangs and violence, to work with schools to keep children safe and away from drugs, to prosecute drug dealers, domestic violence cases, and to continue to protect senior citizens from financial predators and scammers. “I will never lose sight of fundamental fairness, and will do the right thing no matter what.
“As your DA, I’m going to make sure that children in this county are protected from abuse and exploitation. I will make sure that the Sullivan County Family Violence Response Team, born in the aftermath of the Christopher Gardner homicide, stays in place and continues to protect our children from physical and sexual abuse. This team has been highly effective in deterring, apprehending, detecting and prosecuting these offenders and child predators over the last decade. And it’s vital for our children’s safety,” said Farrell.
He thanked the Sullivan County Legislature for restoring and funding two positions that had been cut in the original county budget for 2010. “The restoration of these positions – an assistant DA and an investigator – are vital to the public safety needs of this county – and for the courage to reinstitute those two positions to the budget, I and the residents of the county publicly thank the legislature.”
And, once again acknowledging the two people who were retiring, Farrell finished his remarks with, “Judge Kane, Steve Lungen, I’m going to work very hard … to live up to the example that you have set and the legacy that you both have left.”
Then, joking about the fundraisers that his supporters had attended, Farrell invited the assembled crowd to a reception at the Monticello Firehouse. “Lunch is on me today – please join us.”
The now-retired DA, Steve Lungen reflected on the end of an era, “I’m happy for Jim and I wish him all the best in the world. All good things do have to come to an end. I love my tenure, I love my job, and now I’m looking forward to the future. I thought the time was right [to retire]. I wanted to make sure that when I left it was on my terms. … I thought it was time to be a little selfish for myself and my family. I spent 40 years in public service; it’s time for me to step aside.”
Lungen’s future plans? “I’m going to probably open up a little law practice in a couple of months, do a little work on my own. In the meantime, I’m going to take some time for myself and enjoy myself for awhile. A trip is in the plans.”
Regarding the highlights of his 28 years as Sullivan County DA, Lungen said that citing the individual cases isn’t what matters. “I think that the most important thing for me is that, after all these years, my office is still deemed to be an office of high integrity and character. The District Attorney’s office did the best we could for the county, and I hope the people feel I did the best I could for the county.”
As a number of people filed into the courtroom across the hall, Judge Kane reminded them that “The day’s work is not done. It is my pleasure to administer the oaths to the next three people.”
Kane was referring to the swearing in of Sullivan County Deputy Treasurer Nancy Buck, Treasurer Ira Cohen and Liberty Village Justice Harold Bauman,
As he swore in Bauman who suffered a slight slip of the tongue during his oath, Kane joked that he felt like Judge Roberts, referring, of course, to the mistake Chief Justice John Roberts made as he administered the oath of office to President Barack Obama in January 2009.
After he finished what was probably his last official duty – administering the oath of office to Cohen – Kane told the audience, “There is a certain symmetry to this that you should know – the first public job that I got in Sullivan County was as an assistant public defender, and Ira was the public defender. He was the one who hired me – we were good friends before that, we remained good friends while he was my boss, and we’ve been good friends since. So I think that for me, it’s special, that, as perhaps my last official act as a public employee, I get to swear Ira into his position as County Treasurer.”
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The Catskill Chronicle 
Sullivan County Has a New District Attorney
January 3, 2010 by The Catskill Chronicle
“I, James R. Farrell, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New York, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of District Attorney of the County of Sullivan, according to the best of my ability, so help me God.”
With those words an era ended. Actually, several eras ended on December 31, 2009. And over a hundred people witnessed the events as Jim Farrell was sworn in as Sullivan County’s newest district attorney. The date also marked the retirement of Steve Lungen, the county’s DA for the past 28 years, as well as the retirement of the man who administered Farrell’s oath of office, Judge Anthony Kane.
Surrounded by family, friends and well wishers, Farrell took the oath of office in Courtroom #1 of the Sullivan County Courthouse. He shook hands with Judge Kane. Then Farrell hugged his family, signed the oath in front of County Clerk Daniel Briggs, and held up a very large book, joking that he’d prepared some brief remarks.
“I’d like to thank everyone for coming out today,” said Farrell. “It’s truly an honor and privilege to have all this support, it means a lot to me on such an important day. … I’d also like to thank all those people who supported me during my campaign for DA … the voters of Sullivan County for overwhelmingly electing me as District Attorney … I’ll work to make them very proud.”
Farrell then acknowledged Kane’s retirement. “After 25 years of dedicated, distinguished service to the citizens of our county, Judge Kane is retiring. And Sullivan County has a strong and proud tradition of the finest jurists in the state of New York, if you look around this room, Robert Williams, Chief Judge Cooke, Judge Sidney Foster, also Chief Judge Judith Kaye. Anthony Kane is no exception to that long line of fine, distinguished jurists.
Farrell conceded that the last few days had been bittersweet for him because his mentor and friend was also retiring after 28 years as Sullivan County DA. "Steve has been a constant for me in my career as a prosecutor," said Farrell, "He’s taught me how to be a prosecutor … to secure justice for victims of crimes. And for the last 28 years, the people have been able to sleep well, knowing that he’s been on the job. Crime victims have received justice, violent criminals have received justice, and innocent people have not been wrongfully convicted.”
Lungen had made these goals his life work, Farrell continued. "Under his tenure our office has achieved a reputation for regional and statewide excellence. He’s led the office with a high degree of professionalism, integrity and honesty. And I cannot underestimate, at this very moment, how important Steve Lungen has been to me both personally and professionally. To have his unqualified support during this election process has meant everything to me. … my boss, my mentor and my friend knew that I had the right stuff to be Sullivan County’s next district attorney."
Then, addressing Lungen personally, Farrell said, "You will be sorely missed, and you will go down in history as a legend in the law enforcement community in this county, there is no doubt."
Farrell also thanked his new staff, law enforcement personnel and his family.
“To my children who also sacrificed and gave me support and encouragement, I thank you both. Douglas, you began a new school year at the Sullivan West High School, and if that wasn’t stressful enough, we were also neck-deep in a county campaign. Douglas, you handled this time in your life very well. You campaigned with us. You went to dinners, pancake breakfasts, and I’m very proud of you and the beautiful young man you’ve become. You’re a credit to this family. I love you very much, buddy.”
Laughter filled the courtroom when Farrell took out an essay that his daughter Kelsey wrote about her dad’s campaign. “To my daughter Kelsey, you were also very helpful to your dad, campaigning in ShopRite, handing out cards, pens and pads to all the shoppers, even when you really didn’t want to. I’m just going to read an essay that she wrote a few days after Labor Day. ‘My problem is that my dad is running a campaign. It’s very hard because we need lots of money to get all the stuff we need, pens, signs, pads, car magnets and car stickers. My Mom, Dad, Doug and I are doing an election. Douglas is stressed out because he has homework, and is going to a different school. It is hard on my Mom because she has school, doctor’s appointments and much more. My Dad is running around like crazy because he’s delivering signs, pens and magnets. And we are never home because we are going place to place every day. It’s not much fun.’ ”
Farrell remarked that Kelsey’s teacher wrote back that November was coming and things would get better soon.
“Kelsey, I’ll always remember the sacrifices you made to help me in this endeavor. You, too, are a credit to our family and I love you very much,” said Farrell.
Well aware that challenges lay ahead, Farrell said that he had been very well prepared and that he cares about the people of the county. He promised: to continue his crackdown on gangs and violence, to work with schools to keep children safe and away from drugs, to prosecute drug dealers, domestic violence cases, and to continue to protect senior citizens from financial predators and scammers. “I will never lose sight of fundamental fairness, and will do the right thing no matter what.
“As your DA, I’m going to make sure that children in this county are protected from abuse and exploitation. I will make sure that the Sullivan County Family Violence Response Team, born in the aftermath of the Christopher Gardner homicide, stays in place and continues to protect our children from physical and sexual abuse. This team has been highly effective in deterring, apprehending, detecting and prosecuting these offenders and child predators over the last decade. And it’s vital for our children’s safety,” said Farrell.
He thanked the Sullivan County Legislature for restoring and funding two positions that had been cut in the original county budget for 2010. “The restoration of these positions – an assistant DA and an investigator – are vital to the public safety needs of this county – and for the courage to reinstitute those two positions to the budget, I and the residents of the county publicly thank the legislature.”
And, once again acknowledging the two people who were retiring, Farrell finished his remarks with, “Judge Kane, Steve Lungen, I’m going to work very hard … to live up to the example that you have set and the legacy that you both have left.”
Then, joking about the fundraisers that his supporters had attended, Farrell invited the assembled crowd to a reception at the Monticello Firehouse. “Lunch is on me today – please join us.”
Lungen’s future plans? “I’m going to probably open up a little law practice in a couple of months, do a little work on my own. In the meantime, I’m going to take some time for myself and enjoy myself for awhile. A trip is in the plans.”
Regarding the highlights of his 28 years as Sullivan County DA, Lungen said that citing the individual cases isn’t what matters. “I think that the most important thing for me is that, after all these years, my office is still deemed to be an office of high integrity and character. The District Attorney’s office did the best we could for the county, and I hope the people feel I did the best I could for the county.”
As a number of people filed into the courtroom across the hall, Judge Kane reminded them that “The day’s work is not done. It is my pleasure to administer the oaths to the next three people.”
As he swore in Bauman who suffered a slight slip of the tongue during his oath, Kane joked that he felt like Judge Roberts, referring, of course, to the mistake Chief Justice John Roberts made as he administered the oath of office to President Barack Obama in January 2009.
After he finished what was probably his last official duty – administering the oath of office to Cohen – Kane told the audience, “There is a certain symmetry to this that you should know – the first public job that I got in Sullivan County was as an assistant public defender, and Ira was the public defender. He was the one who hired me – we were good friends before that, we remained good friends while he was my boss, and we’ve been good friends since. So I think that for me, it’s special, that, as perhaps my last official act as a public employee, I get to swear Ira into his position as County Treasurer.”
To view more photos from Sullivan County Has a New District Attorney visit The Catskill Chronicle on Zenfolio.
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