Former Town of Wheatfield Attorney Charles J. Naughton, Esq., announced his intention to run for Wheatfield Town Justice. He is looking to fill the seat vacated by the late Town Justice John Mattio. Naughton's resume includes unique qualifications for the position. His vast legal experience includes his present position at the Niagara Falls law firm, Clayton & Bergevin, where he litigates both civil and criminal cases. He is also a present labor relations consultant for the Town of Hamburg. His past experience includes being the town attorney for the Town of Wheatfield.
He is a former director of human resources and acting risk manager for Niagara County and a former director of labor relations for the Town of Tonawanda. Naughton was bi-vocational for a number of years, having worked as a firefighter for the City of Niagara Falls for 25 years where he retired with the rank of battalion chief in 2003. It was during his employment with the Niagara Falls Fire Department that he completed his juris doctor, cum laude, from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1988. He is admitted to the New York Bar, the Florida Bar and the U.S. District Court, WDNY.
Naughton is a candidate with a wide range of criminal and civil experience necessary for a town justice position. He has participated in felony level criminal cases, represented clients in local criminal court, and handled a variety of civil matters. In a release announcing his intention to seek the judge's seat, he said, "Justice is at the core of our community. Serving our community has always been an important part of my life. I am committed to deciding the law in a just and equitable fashion in both civil and criminal matters."
Naughton raised his family in the Town of Wheatfield and has owned a home on Jennifer Court for over 27 years. His wife, Deborah Deuro-Naughton, a Niagara-Wheatfield High School alum, is a school teacher. His grown children have attended local schools and participated in many town activities over the years. In addition to his busy work and family life, he is involved in many civic, charitable and social organizations and activities throughout Niagara and Erie counties.
Currently, he is a member of the Buffalo State College Council where he serves on the Judicial Appeals, Student Affairs and Government Relations committees. He has also served on the Niagara County Redistricting Commission, was a treasurer of the Wheatfield Family Picnic Committee and a member of the Niagara Falls Fire Department Telethon for many years, raising money for the community.
"I decided early on in my career that I wanted to serve the public. I have worked in public service since 1978 as a firefighter and since 1994 as a lawyer. I want to expand my service to help the members of our town as the Wheatfield town justice. My education and legal experience provides me with an understanding of the law, while my firefighter and labor relations positions have enhanced my ability to know people, spot issues, and make tough decisions. I humbly submit that I am the most qualified candidate for this very important job," Naughton said.
Naughton indicated he intends to file nominating petitions for all major political party lines in the upcoming election.
