By now many of you know that I have decided this year to seek the office of Town Justice of Hamilton. It was a privilege to meet many of you when I ran for Town Supervisor in 2007.
I am a native New Yorker who settled in Central New York after attending college at SUNY Oneonta. My wife, Pamela Schriber-Haight, and I have lived in Hamilton for the past 12 years. She was the owner of the store, Cranberries, in the village on Broad Street. Now she is a self-employed interior designer. Our daughter, Alexandra, just graduated from Hamilton in June. She is attending Genesee Community College this fall.
I am a retired high school history teacher, having taught in the Unadilla Valley Central School (New Berlin) system for 33 years. I also was President of the Faculty Association for 25 years and worked with the school board in improving our educational system. I have coached sports on the high school level for 35 years.
I believe my education and my life and work experience have prepared me to be the Town Justice for Hamilton. For many years I have worked with persons of all ages and walks of life. Both teachers and coaches have to be fair, to listen to all sides, to enforce the rules, and to make judgments.
I have always had an interest in the legal arena and I served on a number of grand juries in Otsego County. I look forward to taking the courses offered by New York State for new justices as well as to the on-going mentoring relationship with an experienced judge that now is required. I like learning new things and will be glad to take whatever additional training the state requires.
I am committed to fairness and justice. My experience as a teacher, union president, and coach will benefit me in making tough, hard, and fair decisions as a justice.
Please vote for me for town justice on Nov 3.
DONALD W. HAIGHT
HAMILTON
