To the editor:

My wife Janet and I strongly support Judge Tim Lawliss for Supreme Court judge.

Judge Tim Lawliss is exceptionally qualified for the position of Supreme Court justice. Tim has proven his ability to fairly and decisively handle some of the most difficult cases families encounter during his 17 years as Family Court judge in Clinton County. For 14 of those years, Tim has also served as acting Supreme Court justice, performing the actual work of the position he is now running for.

Regardless of whether you are registered Republican, Democrat, Conservative, Independence or not registered in any party, the voters of the North Country are better off voting for Judge Lawliss than his opponent from Schenectady County. Judge Lawliss is running to fill a vacancy created by the mandatory retirement of the Honorable John Lahtinen of Plattsburgh. At this time, there are only two Supreme Court justices in the northern five counties of the 11-county Fourth Judicial District. We must elect Judge Lawliss to fill this vacancy, or we will be without a sitting Supreme Court judge in Clinton County for the next 14 years.

Our family has been close friends with Tim and his family for over 20 years. We know he will take his same passion, dedication and commitment to the Supreme Court, and we’re proud to wholeheartedly endorse Tim Lawliss for justice of the Supreme Court.

Elmer Duprey

Peru