Bartholomew to run for town justice

Village trustee Ken Bartholomew has thrown his hat into the ring for town justice.

Bartholomew is one of two candidates to receive the Republican endorsement for this fall’s town wide elections.

He and Republican incumbent Tom Nichols will vie for two open seats on the bench and form what is a full slate for the party in November’s election.

Supervisor George Armstrong received the Republican endorsement and will run for a second term in office and town councilman David Hollister will also seek reelection.

John Rozell also received the party’s endorsement and will run for one of two seats on the town council.

Stephanie Safka, chair of the Republican Party, said she is pleased with the quality of candidates that have stepped forward.

“It’s good to see a full slate; I think it shows that people care. It’s nice to see people step up and put their name out there,” she said.

A longtime member of the village board, Bartholomew can at times abrasive, but is well-respected among fellow board members for his preparation — he is well-versed in municipal law and thoroughly researches issues of importance to the board — and oversight of various departments.

He has ran for justice on two previous occasions and worked for more than a year in the village courts under the late Richard “Geezer” Gordon.

“I’ve got the experience and I’m aware of how things work and understand the court system. I don’t think some people are aware of all the paperwork that is involved,” Bartholomew said. “Working with Justice Gordon was a very big help.”

Nichols has served as both village and town justice alongside Julie Eagan and is an experienced candidate.

Eagan, a Democrat, was elected to a second term as village justice in March, but said Friday she will not seek another term as town justice. She said she anticipates moving to Dresden at some point in the future and is stretched thin between her responsibilities at the Rec Center and as village justice.  

If Bartholomew were to be elected as justice he would have to give up his seat on the village board. The board would then have to decide whether to appoint someone to fill his seat of leave it empty until the village elections next April.

Bartholomew’s term expires next March, meaning any vacancy would be short lived.

It remains to be seen if there is interest in the position among Democrats. The party will not hold its caucus until September and is still accepting petitions from candidates who would like to run.

Councilman Richard LaChapelle, whose term is up at the end of the year, has not formally announced whether he will seek to return for another term.