The Catskill Chronicle

Story and Photos by Carol Montana

MONTICELLO, NY (October 12, 2011) – According to the President of the Sullivan County Bar Association, E. Danielle Jose-Decker, one of the things the association does is to commission portraits of Sullivan County judges.

Since the Hon. Mark Meddaugh is celebrating his 26th year in Family Court, serving both as a Hearing Examiner and later being elected to the position of Judge, the Bar Association decided it was time to commission his portrait.

But Decker says that “in speaking with Judge Meddaugh, he thought it might be more appropriate to commission a mural with a family scene.”

And so, noted painter Lee Parks, a friend of Meddaugh’s and his staff, was commissioned to create a mural to hang on the wall at Family Court.

The mural was unveiled in the tiny courtroom on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 in front of an overflow crowd of well-wishers. 

After the unveiling, Parks (photo right) talked about his inspiration for the mural saying that “People in Family Court are probably under a little bit of duress …” And so he wanted to created “something that was bucolic and restful, maybe remembering happier days …”

Meddaugh, a Sullivan County native, thanked the members of the Sullivan County Bar Association, his staff and family (including the newest member of his family, his first granddaughter – Gwendolyn Elizabeth), the law guardians, and all the Sullivan County departments his office deals with. The judge said that he told Parks his idea of what he wanted and Parks gave him a rough sketch. Meddaugh asked his friend for “something lively that shows life in general and how life should be and how people can have fun … “ He hopes the mural “will have a calming effect … people who are here are all tense and at odds with one another. Hopefully they can see that and appreciate that and calm down a little bit.”

In addition to the mural, Meddaugh was presented with citations by County Legislator Ron Hiatt on behalf of the Sullivan County Legislature, and by Larry Kramer on behalf of Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther.

To see more photos or to purchase prints from Mural Honors Judge Meddaugh, visit The Catskill Chronicle on Zenfolio.