After an virtual electoral battle in November to fill town justice vacancies in Greenburgh, Westchester County, the three successful candidates were sworn in recently to begin their judicial terms.
Associate JusticeTheodore T. Jones of the New York State Court of Appeals administered the oath of office to each judge, while the Hon. Juanita Bing Newton, dean of the New York State Judicial Institute and former Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Justice Initiatives and Administrative Judge of New York City Criminal Courts, presided.
In the hotly contested race, Delores Scott Brathwaite, former county Human Rights Commissioner, who garnered 20 percent of the vote; Arlene Gordon-Oliver 18 percent and Judge Walter Rivera, 18 percent, were sworn in to begin new terms.
Bonnie Orden, Sandra Forster and veteran Greenburgh Town Justice trailed behind.
Yonkers City Judge Janet C. Malone, a close friend of Brathwaite’s described her as a great woman of independence, intellect, and compassion. Braithwaite was also inducted into Sterlings “Who’s Who in Business Leaders”, “Who’s Who in Executive Leaders” and “Who’s Who in Global Leaders.”
Judge Brathwaite responded that all this was made possible by hard work, focus and determination and credited her mother (now “her angel in heaven”) with her success.
Judge Gordon-Oliver, who was not endorsed by the Greenburgh Democratic Town Committee, remained in the race as the incumbent, saying that her aim was to remain committed to the youth, and endeavored to work together with the new team of judges to tackle the challenges ahead.
Gordon-Oliver, born in Jamaica, graduated summa cum laude from Baruch College and earned her law degree from Fordham University School of Law.. She is the managing partner for Arlene Gordon-Oliver P.C.
Town Justice Walter Rivera, of Puerto-Rican descent, comes to the bench with many years of public service, including four years as an assistant attorney general in 1980s.
Walker, a graduate of Columbia University earned his Juris Doctorate in 1979 from the University of Pennsylvania law School, began his legal career as a law clerk with the New York State Court of Appeals in 1979. He worked as a litigious partner at Rivera and Colon, LLP in 1985.
A surmountable task awaits the new town justices who expressed their strong desire to work together as a team and remain committed to serving the people of Greenburgh.
High on the list of tasks is tackling some 80,000 unresolved traffic summonses, which came to light after critical audits.
