DA election rumors a concern to all

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Essex County District Attorney Julie Garcia (left) and challengers Kristy Sprague and Brian Barrett. (P-R File Photos)

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May 3, 2009

<a href="mailto:lmckinstry@pressrepublican.com">By LOHR McKINSTRY</a> The Press Republican Sun May 03, 2009, 03:48 PM EDT

ELIZABETHTOWN — Essex County District Attorney Julie Garcia’s emphasis on underage drinking is misplaced and actually detracts from the prosecution of more serious crimes, her opponents separately contend.

Garcia is concerned about caustic rumors being spread about her office, her opponents in the upcoming election say they aren’t the ones behind the gossip.

Garcia is planning to run for re-election on the Republican Party ticket in September.

But one of her opponents, Kristy Sprague, received the Republican endorsement instead of Garcia.

That means there will be a Republican primary between Garcia, a Westport resident, and Sprague, who lives in Plattsburgh but has promised to move to Essex County if elected.

A third candidate, Brian Barrett of Lake Placid, was also denied the Republican endorsement. He said he is now running as an independent and is seeking Democratic Party approval to run on that line.

RUMORS

Most of the rumors — which Garcia asserts are incorrect — claim the DA’s budget has been increasing and that her prosecutions have been dropping.

Barrett said he isn’t starting any rumors and hopes the campaign will focus on issues.

“I don’t get into campaign stunts. I’m not running because of her (Garcia). I’m running for myself.”

Barrett said Garcia has an adept staff in her office.

“Julie has put together some good people. If the evidence is not there, they will not prosecute cases.”

He said people he knows are “frustrated with Julie because she gets into nit-picking stuff.”

Barrett said he hopes the election doesn’t become contentious, as it did in 2005, when Garcia and Sprague were also opponents.

“If Julie and Kristy beat each other up so bad that people vote for me, that’s fine. Julie, Kristy and Kristy’s minions will do my campaigning for me in that showdown.”

For her part, Sprague said she intends to run a campaign that will stay away from personalities.

“If we, as candidates, stick to the real issues and run positive campaigns on experience and qualifications, then, really, rumors should not even play any part in this election.”

underage drinking

Both challengers reflected on whether they support Garcia’s push for prevention of underage drinking and prosecution of people providing alcohol to minors.

Garcia said too many young people in the region have died as a result of crashes caused by underage drinking, and as a result, she made the issue a top priority of her office.

“Providing alcohol to minors is not only a crime, but it is extremely dangerous. Alcohol kills more kids than all other drugs combined. When kids become intoxicated, they can die from alcohol poisoning, they can die an accidental death, they can become crime victims, and the list goes on.”

Barrett said underage drinking has been around “since the advent of alcohol and children” and won’t go away anytime soon.

“How about we focus on real problems, like children engaging in the use of illegal injectable drugs, which, in turn, is causing the spread of hepatitis C among North Country teenagers at an alarming rate?”

He said that if he’s elected, he’d prosecute on a case-by-case basis the parents who provide alcohol to minors.

“This goes back to a prosecutor’s fundamental duty of fairness,” Barrett said. “Blanket policies don’t work. If the parents’ actions while allowing teenagers to drink in their home (would) shock the conscious of a reasonable person, then they would be prosecuted.

“However, if a parent has taken every reasonable step to safeguard their children and their children’s friends by ensuring that no one will drive or get too out of control, and they continually monitor the teenagers, then I would have no interest in prosecuting those responsible, well-intentioned parents.”

Sprague said her feeling is that underage drinking should be addressed, but “this issue should not be the only focus of a District Attorney’s Office. This ‘tunnel vision’ causes more problems as prosecutors tend to look at one issue and ignore others.”

She said she would try to help victims of crimes, especially with programs like advocacy centers. Sprague was instrumental in starting a Child Advocacy Center in Clinton County to work with children who are victims of sexual abuse.

“Prevention programs are very noble and wonderful programs that should be available to our children and members of our communities,” Sprague said.

“As district attorney, I would absolutely continue this cause but would also emphasize prevention and awareness work in other areas, such as sexual abuse, domestic violence and drugs, which are also very detrimental to our communities.“

Sprague said that a district attorney has to be able to handle a wide range of crimes.

“To single out one offense from hundreds and make that the foundation of an office and ignore other offenses is irresponsible and short-sighted. Every crime should be treated as important and handled with diligence and respect to the victims.”

E-mail Lohr McKinstry at:

lmckinstry@pressrepublican.com