NORWICH – Hundreds crowded into the Chenango County Courthouse Tuesday as local attorney Frank Revoir Jr. was sworn in as Chenango County, Family and Surrogate Court Judge, a position which carries a ten-year term.
Revoir replaces outgoing Chenango County Court Judge W. Howard Sullivan, who retired at year’s end. Revoir was elected to the judgeship following a lengthy and hotly-contested race which saw more than 17,000 county residents turn out to vote. In the general election, he beat out fellow attorney Diane DiStefano – running on the Democratic and Working Families party lines – for the position, garnering a 61 percent majority (10,521 votes) to DiStefano’s 38 percent (6,565 votes). In September’s primary, Revoir won all three party lines – Republican, Conservative and Independence – defeating challengers Joseph McBride and DiStefano.
Surrounded by family, friends, local officials, law enforcement leaders, fellow jurists from across the county and members of the campaign team who helped to elect him, Revoir listened patiently as New York State Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Garry – flanked by Judge Sullivan and fellow Supreme Court Justice Kevin M. Dowd – spoke on his behalf. Garry called the occasion both joyful and solemn, introducing the many dignitaries, elected officials and county employees present for the ceremony: joyful because Revoir “did something quite remarkable” in 2012, calling the race for the judgeship “one of the hardest and best-fought campaigns” she’d ever seen. Garry then commended each of the three candidates who vied for the position for putting forth so much effort, calling the election a representation of “the very best of our democratic traditions.”
And yet the event was also a solemn one, added Garry, as Judge Sullivan, who can only be described as “beloved,” according to the Supreme Court justice, retires.
“Over the next decade, you will be challenged in ways we cannot know,” stated Garry, addressing Revoir. “You will be held to the highest of standards, both on and off the bench.”
Judge Sullivan advised Revoir to stand firm by his convictions, commending him for his dedication and compassion.
“I know you’re going to do a good job,” Sullivan added, noting he had worked for many years with the majority of those Revoir will be working with, calling them the best in the system. “Let them guide you. They will look to you as a leader ... you lead them.”
