To the Editor:

I worked with Mary Rain for over two years as a legal secretary in the Public Defender’s Office. One of the things that most impressed me about Mary is her work ethic, honesty, and integrity. Mary was the first to arrive in the office and often left late. In one year she worked an additional 16 weeks of extra time without pay.

As the administrator of the office she could hand off cases to whichever assistant she chose, but she always took the most difficult cases herself. Her philosophy is to lead by example. During a two-year period she had over 15 felony trials, winning most of them. Her opponent had three trials during the same time period. Mary’s caseload included over 350 felonies and over 125 misdemeanors at one time. Her opponent had less than 40 felonies and absolutely no misdemeanors.

The negative overtones regarding her departure from the Public Defender’s Officer is unwarranted. I know the truth because I worked there: Mary worked very hard, she was an excellent boss, an excellent attorney and she will make an excellent district attorney. I am very proud to endorse my former boss as district attorney and I will be voting for her Nov. 5.

Jill Wilson

Massena