LONG ISLAND BRIEFS

LONG ISLAND/ GOP, Conservatives pick Supreme Court hopefuls

Long Island Republicans and Conservatives in their judicial conventions Monday night nominated four candidates to run for State Supreme Court in November.

Republicans met at the Long Island Sheraton in Hauppauge while Conservatives gathered at the VFW Post 3211 in Hicksville to name two Nassau candidates - District Court Judge Norman Janowitz, 69, of East Rockaway and County Court Judge Daniel Palmieri, both 69 - and Suffolk contenders District Court Judge Jerry Asher, 69, and County Court Judge Andrew Crecca, 45.

In nominating Crecca, the party passed over incumbent Republican Justice Donald Blydenburgh, who has resigned as a judge effective Sept. 30 according to state court officials.

- RICK BRAND

REGION/Hearings focus on providing attorneys to poor in civil legal cases

The first of four public hearings on providing attorneys for poor New Yorkers involved in civil legal cases will be held Tuesday in Manhattan.

The hearings are part of an effort headed by state Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman to provide new public funding and eliminate impediments blocking low-income people from hiring attorneys.

The state Unified Court System says more than two million people annually must represent themselves in civil court cases involving disputes over issues such as housing and employment. Meanwhile, a key program that funds legal services for the poor has seen its reserves dwindle drastically due to the slow economy, the state says.

The Task Force to Expand Access to Civil Legal Services in New York is expected to make recommendations for improving the system to the state Legislature and Gov. David A. Paterson.

Today's hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Appellate Division, 27 Madison Ave., Manhattan.

Other public hearings will be held Wednesday in Rochester, Oct. 5 in Albany and Oct. 7 at the Appellate Division on 45 Monroe Place in Brooklyn.

- CARL MACGOWAN