Smith went to the University of Notre Dame for both undergraduate and law school, but it was the Peace Corps that instilled an awareness of community. "For my entire adult life I have been committed to community service. I got that ingrained in me from my time in the Peace Corps." Smith served in the Peace Corps in Liberia for two years.
Liberia RPCV Michael J. Smith is running for election to the position of Catskill Town Justice
Two in hunt for Catskill Town Justice seat
By Toby Rogers
Hudson-Catskill Newspapers
Published: Wednesday, October 20, 2010 9:23 AM EDT
Caption: Michael J. Smith is running for election to the position of Catskill Town Justice. He is running on the Justice Party line.
CATSKILL - If there is one word that could describe Catskill town councilman Michael Smith it would have to be scrapper.
Born in the Bronx into a rough and tumble Irish family - including his 18 sibling West Meath father Michael Smith Sr. - Smith certainly knows how to fight.
Smith went to the University of Notre Dame for both undergraduate and law school, but it was the Peace Corps that instilled an awareness of community.
"For my entire adult life I have been committed to community service. I got that ingrained in me from my time in the Peace Corps."
Smith served in the Peace Corps in Liberia for two years.
After college, Smith was hired by the Shimazaki Investment Corp. where he worked until 1995. He then went on to open his own law office on Catskill's Main Street.
Smith decided to enter politics in 2006 and was elected in 2007 to Catskill's town council.
When asked whether or not he was qualified to serve as Town Justice, since Smith has little to no criminal legal experience he quickly replied, "You must recognize that statutorily a justice position does not require even a law degree. You must rely upon common sense as opposed to formal legal training. The legislature does not mandate that the position be held by a person with law degree," Smith said.
Noting that Catskill Town Justice Peter Margolius ran unopposed for two consecutive terms, Smith said he felt compelled to run against him this year.
"Anything depriving the voters of choice is a disservice to the voters. My opponent has run the last two terms unchallenged. I felt that Catskill needed a traditional choice considering the fact this would be Peter's fourth term." Smith said.
Smith took issue with both Margolius and Albany County Court Judge Joseph Teresi, a fellow Democrat, for striking his name off the ballot on the Democratic Party line. He said the ruling was based on a "hyper technicality," but acknowledged that his campaign filed" documents (that) were defective."
"We must live with that decision," Smith said, and move on.
Smith will still be on the ballot on Election Day under the Justice Party line, a party which he created this year.
To reach reporter Toby Rogers please call 518-943-2100 ext. 3325, or e-mail trogers@thedailymail.net.
