“There are ethical rules about how judicial candidates should campaign.. she has done nothing but attack, and that’s not what judicial candidates should be doing”-Yonkers Democratic Chair Tom Meier
“Anyone who lies should not be a judge…We don’t need instability on the bench.” –Jeni Wallace, Wallace Foundation
By Dan Murphy
Perhaps the two most important traits in a judge are the ability to fairly and honesty sit on the bench and make decisions without preference to either side, and to serve the people who come before the court with integrity.
Last week, Yonkers Rising reported on a story concerning Karen Best, a democratic nominee for Yonkers City Court. The story highlighted accusations made by Best concerning one of her opponents for City Court, Verris Shako, and Jeni Wallace, over COVID safety at a recent Halloween event.
Best asked, in a letter to the Yonkers Tribune, that Shako, who is also a democratic candidate for City Court, stay at home under quarantine. Jeni Wallace was also questioned, in her role organizing the event for kids.
Best’s letter, or email, to the Yonkers Tribune has resulted in Wallace calling Best “A Liar,” because of the different stories Best has told about the letter and its origins.
The letter appeared with Best’s name, but later her name was pulled from the post on the Yonkers Tribune. Finally, Best’s name was re-added to the post, adding confusion as to what happened.
Jeni Wallace is a Yonkers treasure—she has overcome the loss of her son by giving back to her community. She is also a member of the Yonkers Human Rights Commission and a lifelong resident of Yonkers.
“Anyone who lies should not be a judge. What happens when someone comes before her? How can they trust her? She completely lied to me,” said Wallace, describing social media messages and texts between her and Best. “Karen (Best) told me that she never sent Hezi (Yonkers Tribune Editor) anything.”
It is also interesting to note that a photo of the Halloween event, also posted on the Yonkers Tribune accompanying Best’s story, features Shako and Wallace, but someone was cropped out of the photo. That someone is State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. Apparently, whoever cropped the photo, didn’t want the most powerful woman in New York State in it because they didn’t want to involve her.
Wallace was clearly hurt by the accusations made by Best. “I never meant to be in the spotlight. This is just bullying, and I don’t want it to hurt the foundation and the people we serve in Yonkers. We don’t need instability on the bench.”
Wallace also explained that during the height of COVID in the spring, she helped hand out 800 meals every day to the hungry in Yonkers. Helping her was Verris Shako and Judge Tom Daly, who is running for re-election to City Court. Best and Verris Shako are also vying to become the first African American woman to serve as a Yonkers Judge.
The support for Wallace from Yonkers community was strong. Yonkers Rising has learned that several Yonkers democrats are now considering what, if any actions they should take concerning Best for the November 3 election.
Best, Shako and Dan Romano are the three endorsed democratic candidates for three seats on the Yonkers City Court. Judge Daly’s name will appear on the republican and conservative party lines.
After the June 23, primary, Best wrote letters questioning the role of the Yonkers Democratic Party and Chair Tom Meier, in supporting her campaign now that she won the democratic nominee.
Meier responded months ago that Best was getting the same support as all of the Yonkers democratic candidates. We followed up with Meier this week.
“Just because somebody wins the democratic primary doesn’t mean that every democrat has to like you. My job as chair is to support our candidates and I have done that.”
“I would also say that its not normal for a judicial candidate to have a byline like that (Yonkers Tribune). There are ethical rules about how judicial candidates should campaign, and if some demonstrate a lack of character or temperament, there could be violations.”
She (Best) won the primary. In Yonkers, that tantamount to winning the election. She should be thankful and humbled by the support she got in the primary but instead she has done nothing but attack, and that’s not what judicial candidates should be doing,” said Meier.
Another strange occurrence in this year’s race for City Court involves Best and Delfim Heusler. Heusler, who writes the Yonkers Insider blog, is supporting Daly and has been critical of Best. Recently, signs for Best for City Court have been found on the windowsill of Heusler’s bedroom, where a Daly for Judge sign can also be found.
All of this adds up to something Yonkers voters have never seen. “This election is more like a barroom brawl than a civilized race for Judge. Where have all the good times gone?” asked one Yonkers Democrat.
