by Carol Thompson and Andrew Henderson

Oswego County Family Court Judge David Roman is facing a Republican Primary challenge from two local attorneys in one of two judicial primary elections Sept. 9.

Judge Roman is being challenged by Kim Seager, a Phoenix-based attorney, and Sal Lanza, a Fulton-based attorney.

David Roman

Judge Roman has been at the bench for 20 years. He said he is seeking re-election to the Family Court because it is where he has chosen to spend his career. “With the valuable help of a dedicated and hard-working staff, we have developed a record of strength and achievement,” he said.

Judge Roman said he has empathy for the population that comes before him. “I strive to treat each case on the merits, with a respect and compassion for the litigants and a thorough knowledge of the law at hand,” the judge stated. “My enthusiasm for the job is no less today than it was when I was first elected. I have the temperament and patience necessary for this position, experience second to no one, and I am not simply a politician seeking this as a stepping stone to something else.”

Judge Roman said he has brought two notable changes to the Family Court during his tenure. He implemented the Family Treatment Court to address alcohol and substance-abuse problems within the child-neglect case-load and the Integrated Domestic Violence Court, where victim safety and offender accountability is emphasized.

The Family Treatment Court began eight years ago and currently serves about two dozen in a labor-intensive program. Participants attend court every week for a year and their treatment is monitored.

The Integrated Domestic Violence Court was implemented three years ago and was a pilot program for the county. The program was awarded $450,000 in federal grant funds for start-up costs.

“We have also worked hard at developing a model court approach to reviewing the status of children within our foster-care system with a goal of expediting permanency planning for these youth,” he noted. “I have never politicized the plight of children, and their safety and well-being remain my number-one priority.”

In addition to his regular continuing legal education, Roman said he has completed specialized training programs in child abuse and neglect at the National Judicial College in Reno, Nev., in combating domestic violence through the Women Against Violence Institute in St. Paul, Minn., and in substance abuse therapy through the National Association of Drug Court Professionalism St. Louis, Mo.

“These type programs have allowed me the opportunity to collaborate with others locally, regionally, and across the country, for the benefit of the people of Oswego County,” he said.

Roman, who is active in the New York State Family Court Judges Association both as a two-year past president and current secretary, has traveled throughout the state on weekends and on vacation days visiting various residential treatment centers and has been doing so for 20 years.

“I have long had a policy of not placing youth at any particular facility unless or until I have personally inspected and approved of same, and I have made periodic unannounced spot checks, meeting with our youth to ensure their progress and well-being,” Judge Roman said.

When not working, the judge said he enjoys spending time with his wife, Mary, and his daughter, Elizabeth. He starts every morning with a swim at the Oswego YMCA and enjoys golfing most weekends when weather permits.

The judge said he finds time to volunteer for several non-profit organizations throughout the community and has served on the New York State Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics for the past 13 years.

Kim Seager

Ms. Seager, a local attorney who currently serves as the majority leader of the Oswego County Legislature, is making her first run for a judicial seat.

She said she chose to run after careful and long deliberation. “I’ve been a practicing attorney in Oswego County for nearly 12 years and prior to that I worked in Onondaga County with the probation department and I was involved with the courts there,” she said. “I see that there are great opportunities for improving the way we run our courts here in Oswego County.”

Ms. Seager said that Onondaga County is not necessarily the “prototype” of a good court, but that the court there does schedule appearances so that cases move quickly through the system, hence there are less taxpayer dollars spent on extensive courtroom waiting.

During her time working as a law guardian in the Family Court system, Ms. Seager said she saw that children were not getting enough opportunity to speak with a judge. “In representing parents, I think we can do a better job letting the parents tell us the story,” she said. “We have to ask, ‘what can you do better for your child—what opportunities can you bring to the child’s life’?”

The parents, Ms. Seager noted, once had something in common and now perhaps might not get along at all. “We need to put it in the positive,” she said. “I want to bring a more positive approach to the custody issue."

Another major aspect of family court is abuse and neglect, juvenile delinquency, and persons in need of supervision, Ms. Seager said. “All of those cases give the court the opportunity to place those kids outside of the home,” she said. “In cases of neglect and abuse, removal should be the first choice, but in cases where there is no harm or danger to the child, removal should be the last choice.”'

While employed by the Onondaga County Probation Department, Ms. Seager said she worked closely with families involved in substance abuse, domestic violence and other issues that impact the family unit.

“While I was there I gained an insight into what people needed to become better citizens and I also learned the ability to listen to what people are really saying,” she said.

Following her graduation from law school, she became a law guardian. “Helping to counsel people in a non-judgmental way, my background, along with my personality will allow me to sit down and talk to a child in a manner that is not threatening, in a way that is not an interrogation to a child, and in a way a child can feel free to express what he or she has to say,” she said. “I’m one a few law guardians to go to the child’s home and don’t have them come to the office.”

Ms. Seager said she wants to implement programs that will reduce the stress on the Family Court while working toward the goal of helping individuals become better parents and striving to work closely with the children to assure they do not become thrust into the center of parental hostilities.

In her free time, Ms. Seager said she likes to cook. Known among her colleagues in the legislature as a gourmet cook, she and her husband, Mitch, also grow vegetables and flowers. She donates many of her home-grown vegetables to a local food pantry.

As a child, Ms. Seager said she was always outside helping her father, whether it was fixing the car or working on a home project.

She worked on her grandfather’s farm when she was 14 and met her future husband in a blueberry field; the song of the same name was the first song to be played at their wedding. The Town of Volney resident lives in a remodeled home that has become known as “the ranch,” although it is not one. She and her husband enjoy four-wheeling and spending time at their camp in the Adirondacks.

In the legislature, Ms. Seager has served on numerous standing committees and has also served as a committee chairperson.

Sal Lanza

Lanza, a Fulton-based attorney, said he is running for Family Court to offer change—a change he says comes with 23 years of experience practicing law in the City of Fulton.

“After 23 years of practicing law, Family Court is a very prestigious position with a 10-year term,” Lanza said. “I believe that I would be a very good judge. I believe it is time for a change. I know that I am capable of handling the task for Family Court judge because my 23 years of experience as an attorney in private practice has prepared me for that job.

“I feel that it’s time for a change—and change is good,” added Lanza. “We need to bring new blood in. Some people do things differently. I want to make sure that both sides are heard when they come in. It’s an equal playing field. I want to make sure that the abuse and neglect cases are heard so that our children are protected.”

As an attorney, Lanza noted that he has dealt with families every day, including families in Family Court, as well as cases in other courts. He noted that he has worked on divorce, child-support, and bankruptcy matters.

“These are all cases that are intermingled,” he said. “If you get a divorce, you are going to have bankruptcy issues between an husband and wife. You are going to have child-support and custody issues. Being a sole practitioner, I deal with clients coming in and I handle my cases expeditiously.

“This job has prepared me for Family Court in dealing with custody issues, visitation, the neglect issues, grandparents’ rights—all of those things I have dealt with here with my job,” he added. “It has prepared me and it’s a foundation of my practice.”

In addition to his experience, Lanza emphasized that he brings honesty and integrity to his endeavors. “I am willing to look at all sides that come into Family Court,” he said. “Sometimes people feel they are not being heard. I promise to hear and listen to each person when they come in and to make decisions and render decisions in the best interest of the children.”

As judge, Lanza said he will focus on grandparents’ visitation rights. “With regard to grandparents’ visitation, I feel that it is very important,” he said. “Children must know who their grandparents are and that there is visitation for grandparents.”

When not working, Lanza is involved with ATVs and hunting. “I belong to two ATV clubs here in Oswego County,” Lanza said. “I love to snowmobile and I belong to Mexico Trailriders.”

Lanza also holds a pistol permit in Oswego County. “I also sell guns,” he said. “I have a federal firearms license. Not only do I own guns, I shoot guns and I sell guns. I love going to my hunting camp in Cortland County. I like to hunt. I like the outdoors. I’m a big ATV rider. What else are you going to do around here? I’m not going to vegetate and sit around inside a house.”

Lanza and his wife, Katrina, also enjoy visiting the Renaissance Fair and State Fair. “I also enjoy just plain going to the mall and walking with my wife and see different things,” he said.

Lanza is also a big college football fan. “I love watching college football over pro football,” he noted.