People ignoring jury notices

From the NY Post:

More than one-third, or 35 percent, of Queens residents ignore their jury-duty notices — the highest in the five boroughs.

“We’re dealing with thousands of people, and we just don’t have the staff,” said Queens County Clerk Audrey Pheffer, who acts as the commissioner of jurors.

In fact, Pheffer, a former assemblywoman, said the office stopped bothering to impose fines as it upgrades its jury-selection system.

Using voter-registration, motor-vehicle, tax and election records, the five city clerks blindly sent out more than 800,000 jury notices last year — not knowing if the residents are alive, living in another state, or didn’t understand what a jury summons is.

Recipients are supposed to show up at the courthouse or request a postponement — but many just ignore the notices.

How about an election instead of a coronation?

"Inquiring minds would like to know why it is that the voters in the County of Nassau, as well as elsewhere in NY State, get to elect their County Clerk and their District Attorney while similar residents of NY State and U.S. Citizens are not permitted to elect their County Clerk because they reside in New York City, instead having that position filed by a non-elected Judge, but are permitted to elect their District Attorney, who like the County Clerk is not a City or State governmental official, but is a "County" governmental official? I hold no animus toward our new County Clerk, in fact don't know her at all, but I don't understand how such an appointment is sustainable under the U.S. Constitution and the Supreme Court's rulings of "one man one vote" in general and the series of cases involving the NYC Board of Estimate v. Morris (1989) that sustained such doctrine for NY State and NY City. Republicans are not likely to elect the Queens County Clerk, in fact I suspect if an election was held in November Ms. Pheffer would win, but at least the people would decide and more importantly there might come a time when another political party or through the primary process another candidate might emerge four or more years hence. Right now we live in "Idi Amin's Uganda" because we have a County Clerk for Life! Don't you folks think you should bring this matter to the attention of the Federal Judges of the EDNY for determination and perhaps free us from this tyranny and give us the same rights as other US citizens residing in New York State?" - Walter Kowsh on Facebook

Borough President Vallone?

From the Daily News:

The selection of the next Queens County Clerk could set off a political scramble with a ripple effect throughout the borough.

Democratic Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer is reportedly being eyed to replace longtime clerk Gloria D'Amico, who died in December.

If Pheffer gets the post, it opens up a seat in a district where Republicans have made some gains in recent years.

In addition, Pheffer's possible appointment would take her out of the race for Queens borough president in 2013, narrowing the field for City Councilman Peter Vallone Jr.

Vallone (D-Astoria) planned to run for borough president in 2009 before the extension of term limits allowed Helen Marshall to seek another four years. Queens County Democrats were prepared to give Pheffer their endorsement in the 2009 race.

"It is absolutely something I am seriously considering for 2013," Vallone said yesterday. He has amassed almost $1 million for a run and is also planning a March fund-raiser to add to his war chest.

And if you think that's bad, there's also the prospect of Mayor Liu.

GOD HELP US ALL.

Special election for Pheffer's seat?

From Capital Tonight:

Queens sources say Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer is in line to land a plumb patronage post: The Queens County clerk job that was left vacant by the recent death of Gloria D’Amico.

Pheffer is not necessarily a sure thing. The appointment here is done by the presiding judge of the Second Department, who was appointed by former Republican Gov. George Pataki.

But a GOP source told me he would be surprised if the Democrats aren’t lobbying very hard on Pheffer’s behalf.

As for who might run for Pheffer’s seat, several sources have mentioned her chief of staff, JoAnn Shapiro. Others suggested the candidates who challenged GOP NYC Councilman Eric Ulrich in 2009 – Geraldine M. Chapey; Frank Gulluscio (who ended up getting knocked off the ballot); Mike Ricatto; and Lew M. Simon.

Another name that surfaced: Y. Phillip Goldfeder, a former aide to Mayor Bloomberg and Queens native who works as Sen. Chuck Schumer’s director of Intergovernmental Affairs.

The GOP, which has had some success in Queens in recent elections, will likely make a push for the seat. The district overlaps with Ulrich’s and also has a sizable Orthodox Jewish population, which could help a more conservative candidate.