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DeJoe announces candidacy for Portland judge

Thomas DeJoe

PORTLAND — Thomas DeJoe has been endorsed by the Democratic, Working Families and Green Parties for Town of Portland Judge. He also has received the Independence Party endorsement by winning their primary.

He is a Fredonia High School graduate (1961). Tom proudly served his country in the Navy from 1963 to 1967 and in the Ready Reserve from 1967 to 1969 while attending Fredonia State. He graduated from Fredonia State in 1971 with a BA in elementary education and completed graduate courses in education. He moved to Sinclairville in 1972, where he taught in the Elementary School 1971-73.

Tom met and married the love of his life, Jan, in 1972. In 1975 they found, purchased and moved into their dream home in Brocton. They were married for 39 years when Jan went to Heaven to be with our Lord. They have a son, Jason (Kelly Jo) and two grandsons, Air Force Second Lieutenant Tyler (Samantha) and Nicholas, a student at Kettering University. Tom has two stepchildren, Jeff (Denise) Scott and Robin Scott (Dan) Carpenter and three step-granddaughters, Theresa Scott, Mollie Scott (Aaron) Ballagh and Maddalyn Carpenter.

Tom worked at grape farming, a restaurant manager, teacher, at Conrail, at County DPW and a vocational counselor in the County Manpower Office before finding his niche as a Probation Officer in the Chautauqua County Office of Probation for 21 years.

Tom stated, “I was certified as a New York State Probation Officer and a Peace Officer after successfully completing the required training at the State Probation Academy in Albany and passing the final test with a grade of 97.5. The Academy instructors were a State Supreme Court Judge and Town Judges. They taught and thoroughly explained in detail every New York State Penal Law. Probation is an integral part of the court system.

“I served nearly every court in the County, including the County, Family, County Supreme and State Supreme Courts. For 11 years, I supervised probationers and completed over 2,000 pre-sentence investigations for the courts. For eight years, I worked with the District Attorney’s Office on special assignment to the County Court. I accompanied victims and their family members to County Court and completed over 3,500 Pre Sentence Investigations for County Court. My last two years, I was promoted to Senior Probation Officer and appointed Director of the Victim’s Assistance Program. Annually, I had to complete a minimum of 21 hours of training to maintain my Probation Officer certification.

“I am very proud of our Brocton-Portland community. I have been active in supporting it and continue to work to make it a safe and wonderful place to live.

“Currently I am a 37 year member of the Brocton School Board, a 22 year member of the BOCES School Board, a 14 year member of the Town of Portland Zoning Board of Appeals, 12 year member of the Brocton-Portland Senior Citizens Club and 48 year member of the American Legion.

“I was a Cub Scout Den Leader, midget football assistant coach, little league baseball coach, library board director, member of Vietnam Moving Wall committee, member of town of Portland Bicentennial committee, Chautauqua County Legislator and have donated 126 pints (15 1/2 gallons) of blood.

“I am also a 43 year member of the St. Patrick’s Church of St. Dominic’s Parish, member of Holy Name Society, past lector, past member of Parish Council, member of Dunkirk Council 929 Knights of Columbus, member of 4th Degree Cardinal Mindszenty Assembly 727 Knights of Columbus.”

“The knowledge and experience I have obtained as a Probation Officer and with the courts I served is what I will bring as a Judge in the Town of Portland Court. As a Judge, I will listen, be open-minded and fair. I promise to use common sense in every decision.”

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