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Write-in justice must go to school before starting work

Hope Smith-Holzer (Photo provided)

WILMINGTON — The new town justice here will have to go to school before she can officially fill the four-year position she won in the recent election.

With nobody on the ballot for Wilmington’s open justice position, Hope Smith-Holzer, 37, was counting on write-in votes for the job on Nov. 8. She received 34, which was more than enough to become the town’s second justice, according to the official election results from the Essex County Board of Elections. Councilman Steve Corvelli received one write-in vote, and Tim Kertz — who resigned from his justice position last December to create an opening for Smith-Holzer — received one vote. Robert Kirby holds the other justice position, and his term expires Dec. 31, 2018.

Smith-Holzer will likely be sworn in after the new year, but she is required to attend school to become a town justice before assuming her duties, Wilmington Town Clerk Gerald Bruce said Monday.

Smith-Holzer is a credentialed alcohol and substance abuse counselor for North Star Behavioral Health Services in Saranac Lake. She has 17 years of experience as an alcohol and drug counselor, and her daily interaction with elements of the legal system and collaboration with judges and parole and probation officers has prepared her well to be a town justice, she said before the election.

Smith-Holzer has three stepchildren and a child with her husband Travis, who all live in Wilmington.

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