Former Town Supervisor Sworn in as Justice

Town officials gathered at the Bedford courthouse for a ceremony that lasted less than five minutes to swear-in John Dinin, former town supervisor, as town justice—a role he last filled in 1994.

Dinin said he had mixed feelings about taking the seat under the unfortunate circumstances of replacing

"I'm recently retired, and before I knew Kevin was even sick, I offered my services to the town in any capacity they found useful," he said following the ceremony.

Dinin said he does not plan to run for the position in November. When asked about his goals for the short time he'll hold the position, he said simply, "I just hope to do a good job."

Dinin said his legal career includes a 14-year stint with the Westchester District Attorney's office, in addition to privately practicing as an attorney. He said he served as town justice for a year in 1994 and then served as Bedford's supervisor from 1995 - 2003, as a Republican.

His current political party affiliation is Independent, he told Patch.

He left public service in the town of Bedford to serve as director of criminal investigations for the New York State banking departmen t, where he worked on cases involving money laundering and fraud and other economic violations. Dinin recently retired from his position as special advisor to the Manhattan District Attorney's Major Economic Crimes Unit.

Dinin has lived in Bedford for 38 years with his wife Kathryn, and their two children, who are now grown but went through the Bedford Central schools.

He will serve on the bench until the end of 2012, when a new justice voted in during November elections will fill the unexpired term of Judge Quaranta, a Democrat.

Town officials said they were grateful to Dinin for being willing to accept the appointment.

"The town board can think of no one more qualified to assume this position by virtue of his exemplary and extensive service to the town of Bedford," the statement said.

Bedford GOP Chairman Don Scott attended the support and said given Dinin's experience and the tragic circumstances, the Republican committee approved of the board's choice.

"I commend him [Dinin] for stepping forward to serve the town on a temporary basis. I only wish he could continue to serve after January," he said. “This was no time for politics.  Any partisanship or political action taken before now would have been very premature and insensitive. Town justice is different from other elected positions in Bedford.” 

The GOP committee is now beginning a search process to identify a candidate for the November election. Those interested in serving are invited to contact the Bedford Republican Committee at contact@bedfordgopny.com or by phone at 914.262.7697.

The Bedford Democratic Committee has already for David Menken for town justice in the upcoming election.

Menken is the chairman of the Bedford Zoning Board of Appeals, a Board to which he was appointed in 2003.  His civic activities include serving as president of the   He's currently working as an attorney in White Plains.

On the selection of Dinin, Bruce Yablon, chairman of the Bedford Democratic Committee said he didn't know him personally but understood that he was a "good public servant and respected supervisor."

"I wish him the absolute best of success during his time on the bench between now and the end of the year, said Yablon.