A Statement from a Write-In Candidate for Angelica Village Justice
My name is Pamela Kern Allshouse, and I am asking for your consideration as a write-in candidate for Angelica Village Justice.
I grew up in Belfast, NY, and graduated from Belfast Central School in 1993. My mother was Lauri White. My grandparents, Frank and Nancy Kern of Angelica, were deeply involved in this community, serving in many civic groups. My grandfather proudly served as Mayor of the Village of Angelica for 14 years. Their commitment to public service was instilled in me from an early age.
I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in Legal Studies from Fredonia State in 1997, and spent 21 years with the Chautauqua County Supreme and County Courts as a Court Clerk. During my career, I worked closely with town and village courts to ensure their divestitures to the superior courts were accurate. I also organized training classes for newly elected town and village justices. I worked closely with attorneys, litigants and other county agencies. This experience gave me extensive familiarity with the law, and with the procedures and responsibilities, of New York’s town and village courts.
Village Justices in New York are not required to be attorneys. Non-attorney justices complete mandatory judicial training and certification. My experience together with my education gives me a strong foundation for serving Angelica.
In 2019, I retired from my career with the courts to open a licensed family child care program. I was open in Fredonia for 5 years. In 2024, my husband, our youngest child, and I returned home to Angelica, purposefully bringing my licensed child care program to a community with a significant need for high quality child care. Our two grown sons continue to live in Fredonia.
Being self employed gives me unique flexibility to manage both child care provider and justice careers.
I joined the Angelica Lions Club last Fall because community service has always been important to me. Returning home has also given me the opportunity to continue the tradition of service that my grandparents modeled for me.
Last Summer, I volunteered to be the Director of Religious Education at St. Patrick’s Church in Belfast. I also volunteer as a teacher. Sharing my faith with children is so important to me.
On August 31, 2026, Jeff Donigan and his family moved out of Angelica. He resigned his position as the Village Justice. I had the privilege of having all three Donigan children in my day care. The vacancy happened late in the year, which prohibited me from presenting signatures and formally being placed on the ballot. It is also too late to delete his name from the ballot. This is why I am running on a write-in campaign. It is very important that voters fill in the correct box on the ballot and write my name in the box provided.
It has always been my dream to serve as Village Justice. My education, 21 years of court experience, knowledge of town and village court procedures, and commitment to this community are qualities I would bring to the position.
