Cantella appointed to Tioga County Legislature

By Matt Freeze —

OWEGO — On Dec. 19, the Tioga County Legislature appointed David Cantella to fill a vacant seat and made some changes in the public defender’s office.

At a special meeting held during their regularly scheduled work session, Legislator Tracy Monell said that they received three letters of interest and that one candidate ended up rescinding his application.

Monell said that he thought the consensus was on Cantella “being the best fit,” and legislators voted unanimously without discussion to appoint him for a term ending Dec. 31, 2026.

If seeking to serve beyond that time, Cantella will have to be voted into that position in the Nov. 3 election next year.

Cantella, a resident of the Town of Owego, will be representing that area of the county, designated District 3.

The vacancy comes after Legislator Barbara Roberts won an uncontested race for the county treasurer position this year, as 32-year Treasurer Jim McFadden is set to retire at year’s end.

Regarding the public defender’s office, it was determined that its current staff level cannot meet requirements without at least one additional assistant public defender.

Retiring public defender Thomas Cline said Thursday he is willing to accept a limited part-time appointment to cover some town and village court representation only for the month of January 2026.

Legislators said there has been an existing opening for a full-time public defender since April of this year, and the promotion of Michael L. Arcesi within the office has created a second full-time vacancy.

Therefore, legislators voted Thursday to create one part-time assistant public defender position at a salary of $3,000 through the end of 2026, and appointed Cline to that position.

The resolution states that Thursday’s action will be null and void in the event that a suitable candidate can be found and appointed in January 2026.

(Matt Freeze is a Senior Staff Writer with The Morning Times)