Price accepts Democratic nod for town judge

Mr. Price, who has served on the bench for 32 years, received an enthusiastic round of applause from Democratic committee members during the party’s nominating convention at the Touch of Venice restaurant in Cutchogue.

“I am very appreciative that you want me as your candidate,” he said during a brief address. “I think I’ve done a good job over 32 years and I think I can do a good job for another four.”

He received the party’s nomination through a unanimous vote of the committee.

The GOP dropped Mr. Price, a lifelong Republican, from it’s ticket during it’s May 21 convention in Greenport. Instead, the party nominated attorney Bill Goggins from New Suffolk.

In putting Mr. Price’s name in nomination Deputy Party Chairman Bob Meguin took issue with GOP Town Chairman Peter McGreevy’s comment last week saying he hopes the judge will stay true to his Republican ideology in spite of losing his party’s support.

“Politics has no place in the judiciary,” said Mr. Meguin, a Southold attorney. “There is no Republican or Democratic ideology on crime.”

Mr. Meguin said that in recent discussions with Judge Price “I told him I want him to continue to be an independent judge who calls them as he sees them.”

Former town leader Larry Tuthill, who is also an attorney, said Judge Price “will continue to be a great judge for all of Southold Town.”

The Democratic nod comes with “no strings attached,” meaning Mr. Price will not be asked to change his party enrollment, said Democratic chairman Art. Tillman.