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Judge Christie Derrico Considers Herself A Leader In Every Capacity

MAMARONECK, N.Y. -- Judge Christie Derrico, running for Supreme Court justice for New York's 9th Judicial District (Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, Duchess and Ulster counties), considers herself a leader, fixer, animal lover and the proud mother of four children ages 5-21. 

Judge Christie Derrico with her husband and four children.

Judge Christie Derrico with her husband and four children.

Photo Credit: Contributed

A longtime Mamaroneck resident, Derrico, 42, is always on-the-go -- whether she is campaigning, fulfilling her duties as Village Justice, serving on boards, acting as president of the League of Women Voters, shuttling her kids to sports games or taking care of her cat.

"My background is in running things, leadership positions," she said, "When I was asked to run for the Supreme Court, I felt very comfortable. It is a natural progression in what I'm hoping to do. I am happy in every capacity of leadership." 

Derrico prides herself on being the first female judge in Village of Mamaroneck.

"Gender doesn't change how you interpret the law," she said, "There's a small percent of females involved in judiciary system in New York. We need proper representation. Women definitely get intimidated out of participating."

She does, however, acknowledge the difficulties of running for office as a mother - a feat she would have a harder time accomplishing without help from her husband.

"It is harder for female candidate to run with small family. We had to become the modern family. My husband has been great. He's transformed into Mr. Mom and he makes everything easier with his hard work," she said.

Among the issues Derrico holds close to heart, mental health services and animal control are two of the biggest priorities. 

"There aren't enough resources to help deal with mental health - unlike drug and alcohol abuse," she said.

Derrico is also a proponent of an initiative in the Village of Mamaroneck to continue maintaining a colony of cats through a catch-and-release program where the cats are neutered and released back into the area. 

"I'd like to see community take more note of this issue. If you don't take care of these feral cats, they can infect house cats," she said.

She encourages residents to offer the cats food if possible, which she, herself, does for a feral cat who lives near her property.

"The public health objective is increased by keeping those cats from reproducing and spreading diseases," she said.

When she isn't working, Derrico enjoys going to the beach, Rye Playland, Harbor Island Park and riding her bike into Harrison and Larchmont. 

The Mamaroneck/Larchmont Daily Voice will publish candidate profiles for those running in local elections on Nov. 5 over the next two weeks.

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