By JIMMY LAWTON

CANTON – St. Lawrence County residents will soon choose a new district attorney and Republican Gary Pasqua, who now resides in Canton, says he has the experience needed to turn the struggling prosecutor’s office around.

Pasqua, a career prosecutor, served as Chief Assistant District Attorney in Franklin County for the past two years after serving as an ADA there for about seven years. He said he decided to run after watching the headlines coming out of the district attorney’s office for the past four years, which he says has prosecutors in a negative light.

Timely Prosecution

“The turnover there is unbelievable, more than 20 ADAs over four years have come though that office,” he said.

But Pasqua says he thinks that’s a problem he can fix if elected.

“I think we have to find people who are passionate about being prosecutors. St. Lawrence County has a lot to offer compared to some other counties,” he said.

Pasqua said the office needs someone who is organized and has the right temperate and the ability to mentor prosecutors. He said that his experience as a Chief Assistant District Attorney has given him the tools to do just that.

While the massive turnover rate is a big problem in St. Lawrence County, he said the number of cases dismissed due to lack of a speedy prosecution is probably the most serious problem.

“That’s probably the easiest thing to rectify. Prosecuting cases in a timely manner is an issued I have faced as an ADA. I have a commitment that if I am elected there will never be another case dismissed because it isn’t prosecuted in a timely manner.”

Pasqua says that once the office is up to full staff there will be enough attorneys to be in every town court. He says this will be possible because under his leadership all ADA’s will be trained to handle both felony and misdemeanor cases. Under District Attorney Mary Rain the office is separated into felony and misdemeanor division. Pasqua says that in an office the size of St. Lawrence County that doesn’t work.

The Drug Problem

Pasqua says as district attorney he can help the county law enforcement agencies quell the ongoing opioid epidemic.

“The first thing we need is better communication between law enforcement agencies and the DA’s office. I’ve spoke with various agencies and they say they are getting no communication and no cooperation from the district attorney,” he said.

Pasqua said a prime example was the massive Operation Gravy Train bust, which resulted in more than 100 arrests in St. Lawrence County.

“The only law enforcement agency not involved was the district attorney’s office. That has to change. The district attorney needs to work with law enforcement agencies,” he said.

Pasqua says that when you look at the drug problem in the county, most of the drugs are coming from out of the area. He said to stop this you need to target the suppliers and make sure they are put away.

However, he said the addicts who are committing petty crimes to feed their habit need help. He said the drug problem can’t be solved by just locking everyone up.

“You have to give them a chance to better themselves,” Pasqua said. “You can make offers that involve probation, rehabilitation and frequent evaluations. You need to break that habit, because if you don’t tackle the addition problem new suppliers are always going to step in and replace the ones you put behind bars.

Experience Matters

Pasqua says he has faced some criticism because he isn’t a St. Lawrence County native, but Pasqua says he does have a local stake. His wife, Mary Anne is a North Lawrence native and he recently moved to Canton.

Paqua sees his experience in Franklin County as a positive and says his experience as a prosecutor separates him from his opponent.

Pasqua is a graduate of the University of Rochester and Albany Law School. He was admitted to the State Bar Association in 2007 when he worked as a Franklin County conflict defender, but quickly realized defense didn’t suit him.

“I wanted to be a prosecutor. I am very passionate about it and I think that’s very important. You want someone who loves the job,” he said.

Pasqua says running as an outsider is tough in St. Lawrence County, but he believes if voters look at his qualifications they will see that he is the best candidate to turn the district attorneys office around.

Learn more about Pasqua at http://www.pasqua4da.com/goals.html