Ronald Palmer
For Town of LeRay Justice
About Me
I was born and raised near Albany, NY and attended college at SUNY Brockport for my BA and did my graduate work at the University of South Carolina. While in Columbia SC, I taught my first course at Fort Jackson. I found my calling. I moved to the North Country in 1991 when I accepted a teaching position at JCC. I have been an active member of the community and raising six children, five attending Carthage, and one who starts next year!
Since then I have also taught thousands of students from the area, in some cases three generations from a single family. In addition to the classroom I found ways to provide service and leadership on the campus. I am most proud of my current project providing a unique opportunity to our student veterans. I was fortunate to win a SUNY Chancellor award for Community Service, based on my work across Jefferson County providing information, analysis and public service. I am running to be the Justice for the Town of LeRay from that same sense of service. If elected I commit that every decision will be driven by a sense of fairness and equality in the application of the law. That is what makes Justice.
Questions and Answers
If you do not have a degree in law, how can you be a Judge?
In New York State a law degree is not required to be a Judge.  If elected, I will have to undergo the same training  85% of Upstate judges have had to complete when elected.
Why did you decide to run for the position?
First, I believe that elections are always more meaningful when voters have a choice. Â My entry into the race ensured that you had options. Â Secondly, I believe that if elected I would conduct all matters impartially, and faithfully enforce the law with justice in mind.
What in your background make you think you could be a good Judge for the citizens of LeRay?
Based on the nature of of the position, I think my demonstrated temperament in dealing fairly with thousands of students is important.  Also my time as Mayor of Deferiet, three years as Social Science Department Chair, and six years serving as JCC Senate President are evidence of problem solving and leadership that would be applicable as Judge.
Why are you not running as established party candidate?
This was a choice I made early, despite being aware of the advantages of being backed by an established party.  I have always been registered unaffiliated, since 1979.  To seek the endorsement from either major party seemed insincere.  In some ways I don't understand why the position of Judge should be party driven, as a Judge by definition should be impartial and independent.  When I had to make a party name for the ballot, I chose Fair and Independent, because that is the type of Judge I would be for the citizens of LeRay.
Angel Tree
Pay it Back and Pay it Forward
My Dad was from a family of 10 children, who he explained looked out the window a lot around Christmas time for the Salvation Army truck, because it meant a big dinner and presents.  I also saw that he never passed by a red kettle without putting something in, knowing that some other family waited for that truck to bring them Christmas and Thanksgiving.  When the founder of the Angel Tree program at Jefferson had to give up the task after 25 years, I volunteered to coordinate the effort.  In addition to helping children and families, there is also joy watching the excitement of those who give. Having my youngest son ring the bell means so much because it means passing to the next generation the values my Dad gave to me.  The big check was the result of my winning the PTK Pie your Professor fundraiser with half the proceeds going the the charity of ones choice and I chose the Salvation Army.
JCC Intiatives
Learning from Life
NEH Dialogues of War Program field trip to DC and Gettysburg
Bomb Crater Normandy France
European Excursion Club 2019
NEH Team Spirit of Jefferson Award
