Patch has asked your candidates a set of questions. Check back each day for their answers. This week, we're looking at town candidates.  Check out this Patch article for the line up this week.  Last week, we looked at county candidates and this week we're looking at town candidates.

Party lines:

Gerber:  Democratic

Reda:  Republican, Independence, Conservative, Working Families

1.     What community do you live in?

Gerber:  Valley Cottage

Reda:  New City

2.     How long have you lived there?

Gerber:  Except for the first 20 months of my life and a few years when I was an Assistant District Attorney in Westchester, I have lived here all my life.

Reda:  Since 1980

3.     How old are you? 

Geber:  54 years old

Reda:  No response provided

4.     Provide family information

Gerber:   I have been married 20 years to Ilene, who is NY Regional Sales Manager for Jazz Pharmaceuticals.  We have two daughters, Lauren and Jessica, who are students in Nyack High School.

Reda:  – My wife Victoria is a schoolteacher at Felix Festa Middle School and I have two children. 

5.     What is your education background?

Gerber:  Pace University School of Law, Juris Doctor 1982 and SUNY Geneseo, Bachelor of Arts, 1979

Reda:  I attended college at Fordham University and received my law degree from St. John’s University.

6.     Why do you think you are qualified for this position?

Gerber:  I have had over two decades of courtroom and legal experience.  I have been serving as Clarkstown Town Justice for over 4 years and I believe that I have earned the respect of those who have come before me for the manner in which I conduct my Court.  My previous experience includes:    

 Assistant District Attorney Rockland County 1983 -1985

 Assistant District Attorney Westchester County 1985 – 1994

Arbitrator White Plains City Court 1994 -1999

Deputy Town Attorney Clarkstown 2004 - 2006

Law Offices of Howard Gerber 1994 - present

Reda:  I have the experience and integrity needed for Justice Court.

7.     Why are you running for this elected office?

Gerber:  As a Clarkstown Judge I can have a direct impact on the lives of those who come before me. I believe in our Justice System, and believe that all those who come before the court should have the benefit of a Judge that has their full attention and is well versed in the procedure and substance of criminal and civil law. I believe that my years of exemplary service as Town Justice and the respect of those who have appeared before me in the Courtroom and the respect of those with whom I work are evidence that I deserve reelection.

Reda:  As a resident, a husband, a father, I want to give back to the community and keep it safe for my family and for everyone living in Clarkstown.

 8.     What are the three issues that most concern you?

Gerber:  1. DWI

2. Crimes committed by adolescents who fail to understand the potential lifelong ramifications of their actions.

3.  Crimes committed in Clarkstown by non residents, such as those committing crimes at our malls.

Reda:  No response provided.              

9.     Explain your proposed approach to managing these issues.

Gerber:  I have organized and participated in Drunk Driving awareness programs at the High School level. It is my belief that by seeing these very graphic accident re-enactments young drivers will recognize the potential devastation that Driving while Intoxicated can have. I will continue this in the future.

When I have adolescents in my courtroom I take the time to explain to them the potential ramifications of their actions on their future, with the hope that my words will have a lasting impact. It is my hope that these adolescents, often first time offenders, will be remorseful, and never return to my courtroom or anyone else’s partly due to my strong words during their appearance.

Often time community service is part of a sentence, and I have required that the community service is done here in Clarkstown. I believe that if people are going to come to our town to commit a crime, then they need to carry out their Community Service here, so that it benefits our town, not the town that is convenient to where they may reside.

Reda:  No response provided.

10. Have you held elected office before?

Gerber:   This is the only elective office I have held - 2007 to the present.

Reda:  I am the first person in my family to be involved in government and politics.

11. What organizations do you belong to?

Gerber:   New York State Magistrates Association, Rockland County Magistrates Association, Rockland County Bar Association,Westchester County Bar Association, Valley Cottage Civic Association, Nanuet Civic Association, New City Chamber of Commerce, Temple Beth Torah, PTA

Reda:  Professional Affiliations - New York State Bar Association; Rockland Co. Bar Association; President, Columbian Lawyers Association of Rockland County; Rockland County Board of Realtors; Rockland County Estate Planning Council; Confederation of Columbian Lawyer Associations; Sons of Italy – Filippo Mazzei Lodge; Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons; New City Chamber of Commerce; Rotary Club International – Clarkstown Sunrise Club; Toastmasters International – Rockland Sunrise; Westchester Business Association; Westchester Networking For Professionals; American Bar Association (2001-2007); BNI – Business Networking International (2008-2009); Rockland County Business Association (2005-2008)

12.  Campaign website:

Gerber:  www.facebook.com/JudgeGerber

Reda:   www.AntonioforJustice.com