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League of Women Voters holds judicial candidates night
NATALIE PEACOCK
Legal News Reporter
Published: October 31, 2014
On Nov. 4, Summit County voters will have a lot of decisions to make, especially when it comes to the 22 candidates running for 11 judgeships. The League of Women Voters of Akron, Tallmadge and Hudson recently held a judicial candidates night titled “You Be the Judge” at Hudson High School in order to help make those decisions a little less daunting.
Instead of a traditional panel, 21 of the 22 judge candidates rotated in pairs among 11 different tables in a roundtable, “speed-dating” like set-up. The candidates had 10 minutes to explain why they are running for judge in their respective category, what they believe makes them a good candidates for the job and to answer specific questions.
The League of Women Voters wanted this particular set up for a specific reason.
“There will be two judicial candidates at each table but they are not running against each other,” they said. “We’ve done this deliberately so that you can focus purely on the individual.”
To help the “speed dating” process, attendees received a folder that included a brochure that explains Ohio’s court system, a packet that listed all the judicial races, a sheet on how to judge a judicial candidate and a page for taking notes as they talked with the candidates.
The candidates answered questions about the specific duties and responsibilities of the various courts from municipal and common pleas to the 9h District Court of Appeals. Each candidate also had different issues and ideas to share that were important to them.
In the Summit County Common Pleas Courts there are seven positions up for election with 14 candidates running.
Incumbent Tammy O’Brien is running against Ron Cable. O’Brien emphasized the importance of being an unbiased leader and not letting personal emotions get in the way of doing the job. Cable, who currently serves as magistrate in the Summit County Domestic Relations Court, wants to focus on helping all people have access to legal representation and help those individuals get back on track.
Incumbent Lynne Callahan is running against Tavia Baxter Galonski. Callahan wants a more efficient system for jury service and emphasizes respect in the courtroom for all involved. Galonski, a magistrate, was not able to be at the event but has said she wants to examine budget constraints and add more technology to the court.
Incumbent Alison McCarty is running against Lisa Dean. McCarty said she always makes it a point to remember that when people come to court it is because there is some crises in their lives. She wants all those who appears before her to feel that they have been heard and fairly treated. Dean, an attorney, said she wants to be more accessible as a judge to the public beyond court time.
Incumbent Mary Margaret Rowlands is running against Beth Whitmore. Rowlands wants to emphasize counseling, mediation and community-based programs to help with issues like addiction and mental illness. Whitmore, who is currently an appellate judge in the 9th District, strongly believes that “justice delayed is justice denied” and would focus on issuing timely and well-reasoned decisions.
Incumbent Christine Croce is running against John Clark. Croce said she wants to offer services and treatment for those with mental health and addiction issues, a mediation program for indigent litigants and more access for information and forms online. Clark, current chief magistrate in the Stow Municipal Court, wants to foster cooperation between community organizations and agencies to expand programs to help people.
Common Pleas Court incumbent Tom Parker is running against Rob McCarty. Parker said he thinks judges are the most effective when their dockets move more efficiently and that setting more prompt trial dates is important. McCarty, current magistrate in the Summit County Juvenile Court, would take full advantage of specialty courts, alternative dispute resolution methods and access to addiction and mental health treatments.
Common Pleas Court incumbent Todd McKenney is running against Jon Oldham. McKenny said he wants to serve victims of crime, the elderly and veterans through special programs. Oldham, current magistrate in Summit County Probate Court, wants to restructure the mediation department so that more civil cases can be settled sooner.
Moving away from Common Pleas Courts there are two candidates this year for juvenile court judge.
Incumbent Linda Tucci Teodosio is running against Jill Flagg Lanzinger. Teodosio said she believes that each child needs services that meet their specific needs so they have the tools to be rehabilitated. Lanzinger said she wants to focus on getting updated technology, utilizing an electronic filing and notification system, making more constructive services available to youths and making facilities in the juvenile system safer.
In the domestic relations court race, incumbent John P. Quinn is running against Katarina Cook. Quinn said that continued counseling and mediation is what is needed to help families work through the difficult problems they are going through. Cook, a current judge in Akron Municipal Court, wants to focus on expediting the court process. She said she believes that delays negatively impact the lives of the people involved.
In the probate court race, incumbent Elinore Marsh Stormer is running against Kandi S. O’Connor. Stormer said she wants to improve accessibility to records. O’Connor, current interim chief mediator/assistant magistrate, said she wants to use technology to improve court efficiency and lower the operational costs.
Finally, in the 9th District Court of Appeals, incumbent Eve Belfance is running against Julie A. Schafer. Belfance said she wants the court to improve technology to create easier access. Schafer, a current judge in the Akron Municipal Court, said she too wants to improve technology to promote and provide equal access.
After the candidates answered questions and shared their goals with each table, they thanked all the voters for their time and requested that they consider them for the respective judge position.
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government and works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. For more information on the League of Women Voters or a voters guide on the judicial candidates visit www.lwvaa.org