Connie Johnson, with nine years of training and experience as the Town Justice in Perrysburg, would like to serve in that capacity again. During Johnson's nine years as Town Justice she has attended many conferences, meetings and training seminars sponsored by the NYS Office of Court Administration. Throughout her career she has volunteered many years and dedicated much of her professional life to educating herself beyond the required and has trained and educated court clerks who have worked for her. "I have pursued the duties of Town Justice in a fair manner with honesty and integrity."
Training for a justice is ongoing and varied. Nearly all courts have, over the past few years, become automated and judges and court personnel now upload traffic tickets and Department of Criminal Justice criminal reports as required. Monthly financial reports, which must be made within the first 10 days after the end of the month, are sent via computer, to the comptroller with a check written to the town for all monies received by the court. It is important to have a judge that is known to be honest, industrious and dedicated. All courts must be audited annually.
"I have, with co-judges, for each of my nine years of service, acquired grants for the court from the Justice Court Assistance Program (JCAP) and the town has been spared the cost of computers, printers, security system and fax and copy machines. Taxpayers have been spared the cost of all above equipment due to my and former co-judges' pursuit and success with acquisition of the grants. Only Judges, with the approval of the town board, may apply for a JCAP grant."
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Connie Johnson
"During my tenure as Perrysburg Town Justice, some of the very old records, through a separate grant were inventoried and disposed of according to law." Connie recalls, "This was a job that needed to be done for many years. What a project that was!" The work was done in conjunction with the Unified Court System and with staff from Southern Tier West, who acquired the grant for this huge project."
Johnson has over 20 years of experience in Public Service, pursuing her interests in teaching, the justice system and case management. She has most recently worked with inmates at the Gowanda Correctional Facility for five years. She earned her master's degree in 2006, while working full time, fulfilling her duties as justice and raising her youngest son, Andrew. She resides in Perrysburg with husband Charlie, is an active member of the Versailles Fireman's Auxiliary, her church and community and is also a member of the NYS Magistrate's Association. She served as vice-president of the Cattaraugus County Magistrate's Association for three years. "I can promise to fill the role as justice with the integrity the position requires. My work at Gowanda CF, where I have worked with Division of Criminal Justice Reports, Pre-Sentence Investigation Reports, and offenders has enhanced my qualifications."
"Thank you to all who signed designating petitions. It did come to my attention while passing petitions, that some people were misinformed and did not know that one does not have to vote for the person whose petition one signs. A designating petition is simply a means of allowing a candidate to be on the ballot and is an important part of the election process. We now look toward the primary. I ask that you vote for me on September 13th."
