Retirement party for Justice Dowd slated for next week
CHENANGO COUNTY – After 32 years of service on the bench, New York State Supreme Court Justice Kevin M. Dowd will set down the gavel for the final time at the year's end.
A retirement party honoring Justice Dowd will take place on December 20 at the Canasawacta Country Club. A cocktail hour will commence at 5:30 p.m. with a buffet dinner and program following at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
Since becoming Chenango's County, Family, and Surrogate Court judge in 1986, Justice Dowd says there has not been a day he hasn't looked forward to coming to work.
"It's been an absolute joy," said Justice Dowd. "It was like a fairytale, it really was. I'm not a local guy––I'm a Long Island boy. But the people in this county have been absolutely tremendous to me since I got here.
"These folks who didn't even know me have given me a heck of a life. And that's a wonderful thing. And I feel I have the obligation to be the best judge I can be."
Justice Dowd became Chenango County's District Attorney after winning a county-wide write-in campaign in 1979. Since then, he has been six-for-six in elections, twice winning the Chenango County District Attorney seat, twice winning Chenango's County, Family, and Surrogate Court judge, and twice winning NYS Supreme Court Justice.
"Judges are incredibly powerful people––too powerful, if you ask me. But I never got off on the power, the responsibility. If you come before me, basically your life is in my hands. For you, it's the most important thing in your life.
"I've spoken at schools and they ask me, 'What're the toughest cases you've had?' And they expect you to say murder cases or rape cases. But the toughest cases I've had are custody cases between two good parents. Because I know if I say, “Your wife is a better parent,” I've changed your life forever. So I take it really seriously."
Once a self-described 'incredibly shy kid,' Justice Dowd said he became involved in public service after throwing himself off the dock and learning to swim.
"But it turns out, I loved it. I think public service is a wonderful, wonderful thing. I didn't know that at the time, I just, like everyone else, thought, 'I just want a job.'" laughed Justice Dowd. "And then you get the job, and you start to get what this country's about."
Justice Dowd has eight siblings, and he is one of the only people in his family to graduate college. Growing up in a very modest household under an alcoholic father, Justice Dowd said, "You want to talk to anyone who believes in the American dream? You're looking at him."
"I'm not a person that expects everybody must love me––I'm scared out of my mind. I'm terrified. The entire time [running in an election], you're filled with anxiety. And then when you win, you realize the fact that this is what this country's about: You get your power from the people. And you really understand that––it's not academic anymore, it's real."
Justice Dowd and his wife, Dawn, plan to move to Virginia after the new year to enjoy retirement and be closer to their two children, Kristen and Kevin.
"My kids are afraid I'm going to become a costume interpreter in Colonial Williamsburg," said Justice Dowd.
If you are interested in attending Justice Dowd's retirement party, call (607) 337-1740 to RSVP. Tickets are $30 for adults, $16 for children, and five and under are free.
A portrait of Justice Dowd by former NYS Supreme Court Justice Irad Ingraham will be unveiled at the dinner as well.
A retirement party honoring Justice Dowd will take place on December 20 at the Canasawacta Country Club. A cocktail hour will commence at 5:30 p.m. with a buffet dinner and program following at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
Since becoming Chenango's County, Family, and Surrogate Court judge in 1986, Justice Dowd says there has not been a day he hasn't looked forward to coming to work.
"It's been an absolute joy," said Justice Dowd. "It was like a fairytale, it really was. I'm not a local guy––I'm a Long Island boy. But the people in this county have been absolutely tremendous to me since I got here.
"These folks who didn't even know me have given me a heck of a life. And that's a wonderful thing. And I feel I have the obligation to be the best judge I can be."
Justice Dowd became Chenango County's District Attorney after winning a county-wide write-in campaign in 1979. Since then, he has been six-for-six in elections, twice winning the Chenango County District Attorney seat, twice winning Chenango's County, Family, and Surrogate Court judge, and twice winning NYS Supreme Court Justice.
"Judges are incredibly powerful people––too powerful, if you ask me. But I never got off on the power, the responsibility. If you come before me, basically your life is in my hands. For you, it's the most important thing in your life.
"I've spoken at schools and they ask me, 'What're the toughest cases you've had?' And they expect you to say murder cases or rape cases. But the toughest cases I've had are custody cases between two good parents. Because I know if I say, “Your wife is a better parent,” I've changed your life forever. So I take it really seriously."
Once a self-described 'incredibly shy kid,' Justice Dowd said he became involved in public service after throwing himself off the dock and learning to swim.
"But it turns out, I loved it. I think public service is a wonderful, wonderful thing. I didn't know that at the time, I just, like everyone else, thought, 'I just want a job.'" laughed Justice Dowd. "And then you get the job, and you start to get what this country's about."
Justice Dowd has eight siblings, and he is one of the only people in his family to graduate college. Growing up in a very modest household under an alcoholic father, Justice Dowd said, "You want to talk to anyone who believes in the American dream? You're looking at him."
"I'm not a person that expects everybody must love me––I'm scared out of my mind. I'm terrified. The entire time [running in an election], you're filled with anxiety. And then when you win, you realize the fact that this is what this country's about: You get your power from the people. And you really understand that––it's not academic anymore, it's real."
Justice Dowd and his wife, Dawn, plan to move to Virginia after the new year to enjoy retirement and be closer to their two children, Kristen and Kevin.
"My kids are afraid I'm going to become a costume interpreter in Colonial Williamsburg," said Justice Dowd.
If you are interested in attending Justice Dowd's retirement party, call (607) 337-1740 to RSVP. Tickets are $30 for adults, $16 for children, and five and under are free.
A portrait of Justice Dowd by former NYS Supreme Court Justice Irad Ingraham will be unveiled at the dinner as well.
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