DA candidate: ‘My platform is simple: choice, change and working for the people of Chenango County’
CHENANGO COUNTY – Zachary Wentworth, Assistant Public Defender and Norwich resident has officially announced his candidacy for Chenango County District Attorney.
Wentworth grew up in the South Otselic-North Pitcher area, where his parents still live. He is a graduate of the Otselic Valley class of 2003.
He went on to obtain his bachelor’s degree in environmental science from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. From there, he went to Vermont Law School as he said it was known for its environmental program.
Wentworth admitted he found criminal and family law much more interesting and said he knew that being in a courtroom is what he wanted to do.
To become a lawyer, Wentworth explained the various internships that covered multiple areas of law.
In 2006, Wentworth interned with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) where he worked to help clean Onondaga Lake. Wentworth said he worked with the outreach committee and produced the annual report that was presented at the annual meeting.
“I worked with a lot of people and received a lot of input to produce a presentation that worked for everyone,” said Wentworth. “It was a collaborative effort.”
Wentworth described his internship between his first and second year of law school — the summer of 2008 — with the NYS Supreme Court with Judge Kevin Dowd.
“I saw a lot of cases with Judge Dowd,” said Wentworth. “I assisted with writing decisions and researching on both criminal and civil matters.”
That following summer, Wentworth did his internship with the Chenango County District Attorney’s Office with current DA Joseph McBride and now Support Magistrate – then First Assistant District Attorney – Stephen Dunshee.
“In that capacity, I was able to actually stand up and help prosecute cases,” said Wentworth. “I was able to make arguments in from the judges, appear at arraignments, and ask questions at Vehicle and Traffic trials.” This was under the supervision of the DA.
Wentworth stayed with the DA’s office for that summer, and then again in December of 2009.
“I spent a lot of time in Norwich City Court,” said Wentworth. “Some time was spent in the evening town courts, but most of my time was spent in the city. I also worked on arraignments on indictments at the county level.”
The fall of 2009 brought about Wentworth’s ‘Semester in Practice,’ where law school required him to work 40 hours per week at a law office for no pay, but for his college credits. Wentworth said he worked for the NYS Attorney General’s Office in Syracuse.
“I worked on pro se claims from inmates,” said Wentworth. “A lot of claims were parole denials.”
In this capacity, Wentworth explained that he wrote motions to dismiss, motions to vacate, and worked with attorneys on a number of different matters.
After graduating law school in 2010, Wentworth spent the summer studying for the bar exam. He also began working for Sherburne lawyer Jim Taylor.
“It’s a general practice, so there was a little of everything,” said Wentworth. “This included wills, estates, divorces, criminal matters, and various other legal matters.” Wentworth said one of his first felony matters was in Madison County while working for Taylor. “People in Sherburne knew Mr. Taylor, as it’s a small town, and so a bit of everything was covered,” Wentworth said. “It went from one case to another very quickly, and I had to wear many hats.”
“I was admitted to the bar in January 2011, the earliest day I could have been admitted,” said Wentworth.
Wentworth said he then began working as assigned counsel (18B panel under NY County Law) assisting with criminal matters. He also worked as assigned counsel for family court matters, while continuing to work with Taylor.
In May, 2012, Wentworth took a part-time position with the Chenango County Public Defender’s Office.
“Matters were assigned,” said Wentworth. “I was in Family Court two days per week and handled criminal matters in Sherburne, Greene, Preston and Pitcher courts.”
Wentworth worked part-time for Taylor and part-time as an Assistant Public Defender from 2012 until 2014 — when he became a full-time Assistant Public Defender.
Once Wentworth became full-time with the county, he said he covered mainly Family Court. “I am in the courtroom three – if not four – days per week,” he said.
Wentworth added he covers criminal matters in Greene and Smithville, and has an open caseload of more than 100 files.
He went on to say that due to case adjournments that are running into August, and multiple court appearances per case, the court system in Chenango County is “very congested.”
“I think that’s why I went this route,” added Wentworth. “My big thing is working hard for my clients, and I wanted to change the common perception of public defenders, and show that we care about what we’re doing.”
Said Wentworth, “The State, the Department of Social Services, they have resources that defense attorneys don’t have. I work twice as hard to get the things I need for my clients as I am up to the challenge.”
With regard to the position Wentworth is running for, he said, “I have always been interested in criminal law, and wanted to prosecute.” Wentworth noted he has family in law enforcement.
“It was a big decision for me,” said Wentworth. “My wife Juliette and I are expecting our first child this summer. This has given me more of a motivation and vested interest in the position.”
“I have talked to some people who don’t feel safe here anymore,” said Wentworth. “Not just Norwich, but throughout Chenango County. I hope to bring that safe feeling back.”
Wentworth added he has been told by residents that their neighbors are dealing drugs and nothing is happening. “Some residents feel disenchanted with the current system,” he said. “A lot of what I want to do is make it so people feel that the system is representing them.”
Wentworth said he wants to make sure that victims, victims’ families, defendants and their families, and the general public all see justice.
“Many feel the system is broken and they are ready to see a change,” said Wentworth. “I think we are ready for a change here.”
Wentworth said he went through the county-wide election archives, and that throughout the past 20 years there have been 24 county-wide elections, and this election is only the second that is contested. The last contested county-wide election was for Chenango County Judge.
“It’s so infrequent that I believe the people feel disenfranchised,” said Wentworth. He continued by saying that many know when they vote at the state or national level, New York City votes will trump upstate. “Really, the only place to make a difference is at the very, very local level,” he said.
“It’s about that time that the county has a choice, and I encourage voters to exercise their right to vote,” said Wentworth. “The position does not have to be pre-picked for them. There is an opportunity for choice for elected positions.”
Said Wentworth, “The fact the people are going to have a choice when they are standing in the voting booth is great, and this position is one who stands in court to represent ‘The People.’”
“I grew up in Chenango County. This is my home, and it will always be my home,” said Wentworth. “My family is here and I would do anything for them if they needed it. Family is very important to me.”
Community involvement is something Wentworth said is important to him. He is a Little League coach and is on the Little League Board, has played in the Smyrna band, he’s a past member of the Sherburne Rotary, and is the secretary of the Chenango County Bar Association.
With regard to sex offenders in the area, Wentworth said, “I think people are looking to see more accountability. They are concerned with sex offenders in the community, and returning to the community.”
He added that part of the issue is the term ‘sex offender’ in general. “Not every sex offender is the guy driving by the school preying on small children. Many are those who should have known better than to get them in the situation they’re in,” he said.
“Many people are upset when they see a sex offender who committed an act against a child receive weekends or not a lot of time,” said Wentworth. “I want the people in all of the towns in the county to feel safe.”
As to the drug issue in the county, Wentworth said there has a big push to get the out of town drug dealers off of the streets. “But there is a bigger issue in Chenango County than that. There is more work to do than focusing on the dealers,” Wentworth said.
With Chenango’s proximity to Syracuse, Utica, Binghamton, Rochester, and New York City, there will always be people to supply drugs to the county, according toe Wentworth.
“We need to deal with the demand,” said Wentworth. “There are addicts who are court ordered to services, but we should catch the problem before it reaches the criminal justice system. We see billboards about not texting and driving, or other issues, but why no billboard with who to call for help if you have a drug problem?”
Added Wentworth, “A lot of people don’t know where to turn. The drug issue is not just a District Attorney or a criminal issue, it is a community issue. One that I care about. There have to be options before court mandates.”
Wentworth said, “We’re still trying to catch up to it [the drug addiction issue], we’re not out in front of it like we should be. Until you cut the demand, the supply is going to keep coming. We need more proactive drug services in the county.”
“I may be taking my shots on experience, but I will work extremely hard if I win, for the people of Chenango County,” said Wentworth.
“Look at the drug arrest rates, the Hepatitis C numbers … There are issues here that make people feel unsafe, even in their own homes. I don’t want children finding needles down at the playground,” Wentworth said.
Wentworth said, “My platform is simple: Choice, change, and working for the people of Chenango County.”
He said he will be going door-to-door to meet residents and is willing to talk to anyone who would like further information.
Wentworth encourages anyone with questions regarding his campaign to contact him on Facebook or visit wentworthforda.com.
Wentworth grew up in the South Otselic-North Pitcher area, where his parents still live. He is a graduate of the Otselic Valley class of 2003.
He went on to obtain his bachelor’s degree in environmental science from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. From there, he went to Vermont Law School as he said it was known for its environmental program.
Wentworth admitted he found criminal and family law much more interesting and said he knew that being in a courtroom is what he wanted to do.
To become a lawyer, Wentworth explained the various internships that covered multiple areas of law.
In 2006, Wentworth interned with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) where he worked to help clean Onondaga Lake. Wentworth said he worked with the outreach committee and produced the annual report that was presented at the annual meeting.
“I worked with a lot of people and received a lot of input to produce a presentation that worked for everyone,” said Wentworth. “It was a collaborative effort.”
Wentworth described his internship between his first and second year of law school — the summer of 2008 — with the NYS Supreme Court with Judge Kevin Dowd.
“I saw a lot of cases with Judge Dowd,” said Wentworth. “I assisted with writing decisions and researching on both criminal and civil matters.”
That following summer, Wentworth did his internship with the Chenango County District Attorney’s Office with current DA Joseph McBride and now Support Magistrate – then First Assistant District Attorney – Stephen Dunshee.
“In that capacity, I was able to actually stand up and help prosecute cases,” said Wentworth. “I was able to make arguments in from the judges, appear at arraignments, and ask questions at Vehicle and Traffic trials.” This was under the supervision of the DA.
Wentworth stayed with the DA’s office for that summer, and then again in December of 2009.
“I spent a lot of time in Norwich City Court,” said Wentworth. “Some time was spent in the evening town courts, but most of my time was spent in the city. I also worked on arraignments on indictments at the county level.”
The fall of 2009 brought about Wentworth’s ‘Semester in Practice,’ where law school required him to work 40 hours per week at a law office for no pay, but for his college credits. Wentworth said he worked for the NYS Attorney General’s Office in Syracuse.
“I worked on pro se claims from inmates,” said Wentworth. “A lot of claims were parole denials.”
In this capacity, Wentworth explained that he wrote motions to dismiss, motions to vacate, and worked with attorneys on a number of different matters.
After graduating law school in 2010, Wentworth spent the summer studying for the bar exam. He also began working for Sherburne lawyer Jim Taylor.
“It’s a general practice, so there was a little of everything,” said Wentworth. “This included wills, estates, divorces, criminal matters, and various other legal matters.” Wentworth said one of his first felony matters was in Madison County while working for Taylor. “People in Sherburne knew Mr. Taylor, as it’s a small town, and so a bit of everything was covered,” Wentworth said. “It went from one case to another very quickly, and I had to wear many hats.”
“I was admitted to the bar in January 2011, the earliest day I could have been admitted,” said Wentworth.
Wentworth said he then began working as assigned counsel (18B panel under NY County Law) assisting with criminal matters. He also worked as assigned counsel for family court matters, while continuing to work with Taylor.
In May, 2012, Wentworth took a part-time position with the Chenango County Public Defender’s Office.
“Matters were assigned,” said Wentworth. “I was in Family Court two days per week and handled criminal matters in Sherburne, Greene, Preston and Pitcher courts.”
Wentworth worked part-time for Taylor and part-time as an Assistant Public Defender from 2012 until 2014 — when he became a full-time Assistant Public Defender.
Once Wentworth became full-time with the county, he said he covered mainly Family Court. “I am in the courtroom three – if not four – days per week,” he said.
Wentworth added he covers criminal matters in Greene and Smithville, and has an open caseload of more than 100 files.
He went on to say that due to case adjournments that are running into August, and multiple court appearances per case, the court system in Chenango County is “very congested.”
“I think that’s why I went this route,” added Wentworth. “My big thing is working hard for my clients, and I wanted to change the common perception of public defenders, and show that we care about what we’re doing.”
Said Wentworth, “The State, the Department of Social Services, they have resources that defense attorneys don’t have. I work twice as hard to get the things I need for my clients as I am up to the challenge.”
With regard to the position Wentworth is running for, he said, “I have always been interested in criminal law, and wanted to prosecute.” Wentworth noted he has family in law enforcement.
“It was a big decision for me,” said Wentworth. “My wife Juliette and I are expecting our first child this summer. This has given me more of a motivation and vested interest in the position.”
“I have talked to some people who don’t feel safe here anymore,” said Wentworth. “Not just Norwich, but throughout Chenango County. I hope to bring that safe feeling back.”
Wentworth added he has been told by residents that their neighbors are dealing drugs and nothing is happening. “Some residents feel disenchanted with the current system,” he said. “A lot of what I want to do is make it so people feel that the system is representing them.”
Wentworth said he wants to make sure that victims, victims’ families, defendants and their families, and the general public all see justice.
“Many feel the system is broken and they are ready to see a change,” said Wentworth. “I think we are ready for a change here.”
Wentworth said he went through the county-wide election archives, and that throughout the past 20 years there have been 24 county-wide elections, and this election is only the second that is contested. The last contested county-wide election was for Chenango County Judge.
“It’s so infrequent that I believe the people feel disenfranchised,” said Wentworth. He continued by saying that many know when they vote at the state or national level, New York City votes will trump upstate. “Really, the only place to make a difference is at the very, very local level,” he said.
“It’s about that time that the county has a choice, and I encourage voters to exercise their right to vote,” said Wentworth. “The position does not have to be pre-picked for them. There is an opportunity for choice for elected positions.”
Said Wentworth, “The fact the people are going to have a choice when they are standing in the voting booth is great, and this position is one who stands in court to represent ‘The People.’”
“I grew up in Chenango County. This is my home, and it will always be my home,” said Wentworth. “My family is here and I would do anything for them if they needed it. Family is very important to me.”
Community involvement is something Wentworth said is important to him. He is a Little League coach and is on the Little League Board, has played in the Smyrna band, he’s a past member of the Sherburne Rotary, and is the secretary of the Chenango County Bar Association.
With regard to sex offenders in the area, Wentworth said, “I think people are looking to see more accountability. They are concerned with sex offenders in the community, and returning to the community.”
He added that part of the issue is the term ‘sex offender’ in general. “Not every sex offender is the guy driving by the school preying on small children. Many are those who should have known better than to get them in the situation they’re in,” he said.
“Many people are upset when they see a sex offender who committed an act against a child receive weekends or not a lot of time,” said Wentworth. “I want the people in all of the towns in the county to feel safe.”
As to the drug issue in the county, Wentworth said there has a big push to get the out of town drug dealers off of the streets. “But there is a bigger issue in Chenango County than that. There is more work to do than focusing on the dealers,” Wentworth said.
With Chenango’s proximity to Syracuse, Utica, Binghamton, Rochester, and New York City, there will always be people to supply drugs to the county, according toe Wentworth.
“We need to deal with the demand,” said Wentworth. “There are addicts who are court ordered to services, but we should catch the problem before it reaches the criminal justice system. We see billboards about not texting and driving, or other issues, but why no billboard with who to call for help if you have a drug problem?”
Added Wentworth, “A lot of people don’t know where to turn. The drug issue is not just a District Attorney or a criminal issue, it is a community issue. One that I care about. There have to be options before court mandates.”
Wentworth said, “We’re still trying to catch up to it [the drug addiction issue], we’re not out in front of it like we should be. Until you cut the demand, the supply is going to keep coming. We need more proactive drug services in the county.”
“I may be taking my shots on experience, but I will work extremely hard if I win, for the people of Chenango County,” said Wentworth.
“Look at the drug arrest rates, the Hepatitis C numbers … There are issues here that make people feel unsafe, even in their own homes. I don’t want children finding needles down at the playground,” Wentworth said.
Wentworth said, “My platform is simple: Choice, change, and working for the people of Chenango County.”
He said he will be going door-to-door to meet residents and is willing to talk to anyone who would like further information.
Wentworth encourages anyone with questions regarding his campaign to contact him on Facebook or visit wentworthforda.com.
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