WIBX EXCLUSIVE: Utica Common Councilman Jason Flemma to Become Law Clerk for Family Court Judge Julia Brouilette
Although the official announcement is expected to come on Monday, WIBX has confirmed that local attorney and Utica Common Councilman Jason Flemma will resign his position from the council effective January 14, 2015.
Flemma will step into the position of law clerk for Oneida County's newest Family Court Judge Julia Brouillette, who was officially sworn in yesterday.
The move requires that Flemma resign not only from politics, but from the private practice of law as well. Speaking of his Court Street law partner, Mark Jonas, Flemma says, "I'm leaving my mentor." Flemma acknowledges the personal challenges that the professional change will bring. "My wife is very supportive and patient. There is a lot of upheaval but I believe it will be a positive change...I'm lucky, very blessed to have the opportunity."
Flemma says he is concerned about finding a replacement to serve on the council. "I do not want to let down those who voted for me in South Utica. I put a lot of time, energy into getting elected, as did my family and friends...Trying to find someone to serve is difficult because there is a perception that the Common Council is tense...But the dissension is part of the normal course."
There are only a few judges, and only one clerk for each one. These opportunities don't come around more than once in a lifetime
Flemma says Brouillette tapped him as one of those being considered for the position soon after she was elected. Among those with whom he had to consult was the Office of Court Administration (OCA), to determine whether or not acceptance of the court position would mandate resignation from the Common Council, something Flemma says he found difficult to consider.
He says that the OCA's final decision came on New Year's Eve. "There are only a few judges, and only one clerk for each one. These opportunities don't come around more than once in a lifetime," he said, "and I decided to take the position."
On May 14, 2013 WIBX reported that Flemma announced his candidacy for public office, offering to represent Utica's third ward. He says he saw the chance to serve as a privilege, one that enabled him to "help a whole lot of people and to do good things for my community." Flemma says, "I never saw politics as a career choice, I enjoyed it."
His replacement, to be chosen by Utica's Republican Committee under the leadership of Joseph Hobika, Jr., will be appointed to serve the remainder of Flemma's term which ends on December 31st of this year. That person is expected to have the opportunity to run for the seat in November if he or she chooses to remain a part of the Council.
This is a developing story and more details are forthcoming.
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