It is very rare that I feel compelled to make a public endorsement in a judicial election, since often both candidates are more than qualified, but this year I make an exception.

 I very strongly urge voters in the Town of Montgomery, including Walden, Montgomery and Maybrook, to put Catherine Lee on the town bench. Having gotten to know her, I can say she will make an excellent judge. She will bring her sharp eye, quickness of mind and knowledge of the law to a position where it has been in increasingly short supply of late. She will work well with our other current town judge, who has been willing to do so much more than asked of him without complaint to ensure that our courts run efficiently and on time. She will also respect the work of our town police. Lee will also work well with the other judges in the county, doing her share of the work they all must do in keeping our criminal justice system moving and guaranteeing due process for defendants and victims alike.

 And when it comes time to go, she will leave office gracefully.

 Once again, I urge Town of Montgomery voters to turn out and fill in the oval on Integrity First, Row F, this weekend during early voting at the Montgomery Senior Center or at their local polling place on Election Day.