CHEEKTOWAGA, NY - "I enjoy public life," says Dennis Gorski.
In the '90s, the Cheektowaga Democrat was a Western New York political heavyweight. Gorski was elected three times as Erie County Executive. But after his defeat in 1999 to Republican Joel Giambra, Gorski left for the private sector.
Last year, at age 70, Gorski decided to make a political comeback. He campaigned and won a seat on the bench as a Cheektowaga Town Court Judge.
After eight months on the job, Gorski says, "I enjoy doing what I do from the bench or else I wouldn't do it."
But a number of members of the Erie County Bar Association think Gorski shouldn't be a judge at all. The concern is Gorski's mental capacity. In recent days, a number of lawyers and fellow-judges have shared their concerns with 2 On Your Side. They worry about Gorski's mental fitness.
One judge tells us, "He's not mentally there."
Another judge believes, "(Gorski) has a memory problem."
A veteran attorney believes Gorski is just not catching on with his new job on the bench. "He's just not getting it. He's being instructed on what to do over and over again."
One attorney used the word "senile." Another says, "He's not the Dennis Gorski we knew."
None of these people wanted their names used for our story. Most have known Gorski for years or have regular business in his courtroom and don't wish to jeopardize their legal practice or potentially put their clients at risk.
Gorski denies having any memory loss or problems. But he did disclose he was diagnosed last November with Parkinson's disease.
"It's ambulatory, non-cognitive. So, my mind is clear. People can say what they want to say. All I know is one thing. I work very hard. I think my decisions are in the best interest of the community. And I'm going to continue to do that."
It is apparent that court officials are aware of the concerns about Gorski. A representative of the Office of Court Administration was in Gorski's courtroom last week to watch him work.
The supervising judge for Western New York is Paula Feroleto. She did not return our calls for comment.
