The Catskill Chronicle

Story by Carol Montana, Photos by Kenneth Walter

MONTICELLO, NY (January 7, 2011) – Surrounded by family and friends, Sullivan County’s newest County Court and Surrogate Court Judge Mike McGuire was sworn in on Thursday, December 30, 2010 at the Lawrence Cooke Court House.

Given the oath of office by his predecessor, the Honorable Burton Ledina, McGuire paid homage to his parents, brother and sister, wife Corinne and their three children.

Also present at the ceremony were judges from around the county, region and state, several Sullivan County Legislators, the county clerk, treasurer, several court clerks and many other dignitaries and and friends.

Albee Bockman, owner of the Sullivan County-based MobileMedic, performed the National Anthem, following which, Family Court Judge Mark Meddaugh took the part of master of ceremonies.

“Being a judge is a lonely job,” Meddaugh told McGuire. “You sit at the bench and all the eyes are fixed on you and you have the ultimate responsibility to make a decision that may affect those litigants for years to come. You are at the beginning of this process, Michael. And every day you will learn something new and you will gain the confidence to render the best decisions that you can for the people that will now be relying on you. I am confident that you have the ability to be a fine judge and I certainly look forward to having you as a member of the judiciary.”

New York State Senator John Bonacic’s comments were short and sweet. “Mike, this is a happy day, you can smile. I always knew you had the right stuff. We know you’re intelligent, we know you’re experienced. But the two ingredients that I think will make you an outstanding judge is your temperament and I know you will treat everyone fairly and equally regardless of their color, regardless of whether they’re rich or poor.”

In her comments, Sullivan County Legislator Jody Goodman referred to what was often a bitter and divisive campaign for election. “… but I hope that you look back at the past year as one of the brightest moments of your life because you were surrounded with such friendship … “

Recently retired, Judge Anthony Kane told McGuire, “We, the citizens of Sullivan County, have great expectations for you … but remember that all who come before you, come with the expectation of being treated fairly and with dignity. This is not Judge Judy. If you work hard, as I know you will, and meet those expectations, you will take your place among the great jurors who have toiled in this courtroom.”

It is tradition for the president of the Sullivan County Bar Association to present the new judge with his/her robes, so Sam Yasgur, assisted by McGuire’s mother and wife, help the new judge don his new robes.  Yasgur also had some advice for the new judge. “ … to each litigant and each party, (their) case is unique, it is often the most important thing in his or her life. And one of the most important things that the person standing before the bench can know that they’re going to be heard by someone who is not only going to hear, but also going to listen to what they have to say. …You’re the one who gets to make the decision. … The decision is something that you make alone. … and in years to come, you will earn not only the title of but the appellation of ‘your honor’ from all of us.”

And then the podium was taken by the retiring Judge Burton Ledina. “I can’t tell you how happy I am to have you succeed to the Sullivan County Court bench,” he told McGuire. “You will learn in the years to come, why we judges say this is the best job in the world.” Ledina said he was honored to be the judge who administered McGuire his oath of office.

After the “official” oath was signed by Sullivan County Clerk Danny Briggs, it was McGuire’s turn to address the assembled crowd. He acknowledged the other judges both past and present. And then turned to a question he said many people are interested in. “What type of judge will I be. … The answer to that question is not found in a review of my work over the past 10 years. But rather in the experiences I’ve had in the past 50 years, and based on those experiences, I can assure you of one thing. Each day when I don these robes, I’ll be guided by the law and I’ll work diligently that every individual in my courtroom is treated fairly under the law and treated with dignity.”

The new judge spoke of his parents and the close and “spirited” relationship he has with his siblings. He thanked his law professor and his mentor, former Sullivan County District Attorney Steve Lungen. McGuire gave enthusiastic praise to his campaign staff and to his predecessor. “I look forward with great enthusiasm to building on the outstanding body of work and the legacy of fair, balanced and impartial justice that Judge Ledina leaves behind. Judge Ledina, you’ve set the bar very high, and I can only promise to work every day to build upon your legacy. It has been truly my honor and my good fortune to have practiced before you and I wish you many years of good health and happiness in your retirement.”

Then McGuire turned to his three sons, Kevin, William and Carl and told them, “I’m so proud of each of you for what you’ve been able to accomplish in your lives and for the values that you’ve exhibited. Without question you are my shining stars and you motivate me in everything I do.”

“Finally,” said McGuire, “I turn to my strength, my soul mate, my best friend, my wife Corinne. … For the past 15 years you have been the constant in my life. … There was never a doubt in my mind that together we would move mountains. I love you with all my life. To the rest of those who are here, this occasion today is a celebration of everything that you have given to me throughout my life … Thank you for your support and your friendship.”