Reader’s View Published in The Saratogian on March 1, 2008

I’m Matt Dorsey, and I’m honored to have recently received the endorsement of the Saratoga Springs Republican Committee for the position of Saratoga Springs City Court judge. I’m now looking forward to bringing my campaign to the people of our great city.

I’ve been a practicing attorney here in Saratoga Springs for over a decade, and I’ve handled virtually every type of case within the City Court’s jurisdiction. During my time in City Court, I’ve handled cases not only as a defense counsel, but also as a prosecutor. I’ve also previously served the city of Saratoga Springs as special counsel for assessment case defense and as city attorney.

During my time practicing in City Court, I’ve gained a great deal of respect for the City Court staff as well as the Saratoga Springs Police Department. These hardworking men and women faithfully ensure the safe and efficient operation of our City Court.

Over my many years of practice, I’ve also had the opportunity to observe my fellow attorneys — defense counsels, assistant public defenders, and assistant district attorneys — practice admirably before the Court.
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Given my experience, I appreciate the institution of City Court and all the people that work there, but, as with all institutions, we should always ask ourselves what we can do better. In order to answer that question, I propose two outreach initiatives: a “Courtroom to Your Room” program and quarterly practitioner meetings.

In the “Courtroom to Your Room” initiative, as City Court judge, I would go out to classrooms, neighborhood association meetings, fraternal halls, and church basements to meet with members of our community. I would like to talk to people about the role of City Court, and, more importantly, get their ideas on how their court can be improved. Through this effort, City Court can be open and responsive to the community it serves.

During quarterly practitioner meetings, I would meet with the various attorneys that practice before the court. The meetings would be informal, voluntary, and no specific cases would be discussed. In this forum, the attorneys would have the opportunity to share with the Court what they think is being done right, what is being done wrong, and most importantly — what can be done better.

It’s my hope that through outreach to the community and the bar, the Court can develop ideas for innovation and improvement. In addition to these initiatives, I would always keep an open door to City Court staff and members of the Saratoga Springs Police Department — after all, they are the people that make our court work well on a day to day basis.

I’m honored to be a candidate for Saratoga Springs City Court judge. I look forward to an active campaign and the opportunity to make our City Court the best that it can be.

Matthew Dorsey is the Republican nominee for Saratoga Springs City Court judge.