Letter: Parlatore is the Right Choice for District Court Judge

Editor's note: Jonathan A. Cohen is a former member of the Setauket Fire Department. He now lives in Manorville.

Edmund Burke once said, "It is the function of a judge not to make but to declare the law, according to the golden mete-wand of the law and not by the crooked cord of discretion."

The success of the American judicial system depends entirely upon the character of the individuals who serve on the bench, and it is these honorable men and women in whose hands rest the future of our great nation. 

This year we have the opportunity to elect a truly great man, Anthony Parlatore, to the District Court in the Town of Brookhaven. It is extremely important that the voters understand the kind of man that he is. Tony is a man of exceptional character, uncommon honor, fairness, and integrity.

When my wife and I were members of the Setauket Fire Department and couldn't afford to attend a training conference, Tony offered his own money to send us. Tony would wake up in the middle of the night to drive the ambulance so my wife and I could respond to an alarm as emergency medical technicians. As adults, we turned to Tony to represent us when we purchased our first home. We bought a short sale, which is probably the single most difficult and stressful type of transaction in real estate, and Tony stood with us throughout the entire process. He even met with us only days after being seriously injured in a boating accident. Without Tony's wise counsel we wouldn't own our home today.

We need a great man like Tony Parlatore at the helm of justice.  I’m proud to call him a friend, and I’ll be proud to cast my vote for him on Nov. 8.

Jonathan A. Cohen
Manorville, NY