Kathleen Jans-Duffy, the current Tyre town Judge, has announced her campaign to run for re-election. She has been a town Judge since 1998 when she was appointed to fill the vacancy left by Judge Richard Steiner. At that time there was no town building that could house the Court. So, at no expense to the town, a court house was built across the driveway from her house in Tyre. That building served theTown until a new building housing town offices was completed.
At that time, Jans-Duffy donated the bench from her previous courtroom to the County for Central Arraignment Court in 2018. Born in Seneca Falls, Jans-Duffy grew up on Gravel Road, moving to California for a period of time when her father was transferred. Wanting to return to her roots, she built a home in Tyre with her husband John. Before becoming Town Judge, Kathy worked for Dr. Fred Riegel as a dental assistant and later at the Seneca Falls Historical Society as a tour guide, managing the extensive collection and coordinating many of the programs that the Society presented. Always active in the community, she is a member of the Rotary Club, serving on the Board of Directors and as a past President. She is an active volunteer in the many Rotary projects such as the Back-to-School Bash and the Chocolate Extravaganza.
As Town Judge, Jans-Duffy served on the Committee that created the CAP Court in Seneca County, one of the first up and running in the state. She has been the President of the Seneca County Magistrates & Court Clerks Association several times, as well as Secretary Treasurer over the years. In addition several times she has applied for and obtained a JCAP grant from the State for equipment that was necessary for a safe, well run Court. Because these funds were not included in the Town budget, these grants have saved the town approximately $20,000 over the last 6 years.
As the Court closest to the people, Kathy feels that the position of Judge is a very important part of the community – it is imperative to have the ability to listen to both sides, weigh the information, then apply the law. It is necessary to have an open mind and judge a case only on the facts and then be fair in setting the sentence. Fairness, compassion and discretion coupled with common sense, are very important traits for a Judge. With your support these are the traits I will continue to employ as your Tyre town Judge.
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