Feb. 19, 2014:  For the first time in Bronxville's history, a traditionally Republican candidate will run on an independent line in the March 18 village election. Village court justice George McKinnis, a Republican, will run on the independent line Bronxville Citizens for Responsible Government for his sixth term as court justice.

While McKinnis would normally have been nominated at the Bronxville Republican Committee caucus on January 23, a miscommunication between him and the committee resulted in his not receiving the expected nomination.

"Once the Republican Committee chairman discovered the error," Judge McKinnis explained, "she told me exactly how to run as an independent and provided me with the necessary forms and petitions." He added that the chairman circulated a petition on behalf of his candidacy.

Although he needed petition signatures from 100 valid registered Bronxville voters, McKinnis received 240 signatures. He noted that he "went the extra mile" in verifying the signatures against the village's current list of registered voters.

McKinnis noted that it was only through strong nonpartisan community support that he gathered so many signatures in such a short period of time. "There was such a positive reaction to gathering signatures and I appreciate it very much because I was in a fix," he said.

Supporters circulated petitions at meetings where they could gather as many as 40 signatures at a time. He stated that over a nine-day period many people came to his home to sign his petition.

If running on an independent line in an inclusive manner resonates with voters, McKinnis said, he might be inclined to suggest that he, his village court justice colleague, and their successors do the same in the future. "I would look to see whether enough people choose to vote for me as an independent compared to voting for me in the past as a Republican candidate."

"We judges are a special breed among elected village officials," McKinnis stated. He explained that, because the judiciary is independent of executive power under the Constitution, village justices are not under the command of village government. Since New York State judicial ethics law compels judges not to participate in partisan politics, he feels there may be merit in justices running for office on an independent line.

McKinnis added that maintaining judiciary independence from village government has never posed a problem in Bronxville. "We have sophisticated mayors and trustees who fully understand the constitutional separation of powers," he said.

Justice McKinnis cited two strong motivations for serving on the village court. Not only is it a way to contribute something back to the community, but it's also an opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of people who are in great difficulty. "People deserve an opportunity to correct their behavior," he said. "I'm interested in finding and using, whenever possible, substitutes for incarceration." McKinnis regards his work to offer alternatives to prison as a mission for society.

McKinnis expressed his deep appreciation for the volunteer enthusiasm he received to ensure his candidacy.

Pictured here:  Judge George McKinnis.

Photo by N. Bower