By JIMMY LAWTON

CANTON -- St. Lawrence County approved filling two positions in the District Attorney’s office at a special meeting Monday.

In a split vote the legislature authorized hiring two ADAs. The first will replace Michael Gebo, who resigned after taking blame for a failing to file appeals. The lack of action led St. Lawrence County D.A. Mary Rain to appear in court to defend herself against possible contempt charges.

The second hire will fill the position of Abigail R. Hind, who has said she planned to resign once an adequate replacement for her could be found.

Rain said Hind postponed her resignation to ensure the office was not left short-handed in the wake of Gebo’s resignation.

Rain said her office could not adequately perform its responsibilities without filling the vacancies.

“The Office of the District Attorney is constitutionally and statutorily mandated to prosecute all felonies, misdemeanors, and violations, filed in over forty state and local courts throughout St. Lawrence County, as well as all criminal appeals to the Appellate Division and the New York State Court of Appeals,” the resolution says. “Filling these vacancies are absolutely critical to allow the Office of the District Attorney to safeguard the rights of victims, seek justice with steadfast and ethical determination, and adequately achieve its constitutional and statutory obligations.”

In a past interview St. Lawrence County Joseph Lightfoot said that if the county were to fill both positions he would like to see ADA’s return to local courts.

In August Rain announced prosecutors would only appear in town, village and city courts to conduct trials and hearings.