CHENANGO COUNTY – After 32 years of service on the bench, New York State Supreme Court Justice Kevin M. Dowd will set down the gavel for the final time at the year's end.

A retirement party honoring Justice Dowd will take place on December 20 at the Canasawacta Country Club. A cocktail hour will commence at 5:30 p.m. with a buffet dinner and program following at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend.

Since becoming Chenango's County, Family, and Surrogate Court judge in 1986, Justice Dowd says there has not been a day he hasn't looked forward to coming to work.

"It's been an absolute joy," said Justice Dowd. "It was like a fairytale, it really was. I'm not a local guy––I'm a Long Island boy. But the people in this county have been absolutely tremendous to me since I got here.

"These folks who didn't even know me have given me a heck of a life. And that's a wonderful thing. And I feel I have the obligation to be the best judge I can be."

Justice Dowd became Chenango County's District Attorney after winning a county-wide write-in campaign in 1979. Since then, he has been six-for-six in elections, twice winning the Chenango County District Attorney seat, twice winning Chenango's County, Family, and Surrogate Court judge, and twice winning NYS Supreme Court Justice.

"Judges are incredibly powerful people––too powerful, if you ask me. But I never got off on the power, the responsibility. If you come before me, basically your life is in my hands. For you, it's the most important thing in your life.

"I've spoken at schools and they ask me, 'What're the toughest cases you've had?' And they expect you to say murder cases or rape cases. But the toughest cases I've had are custody cases between two good parents. Because I know if I say, “Your wife is a better parent,” I've changed your life forever. So I take it really seriously."