MEDIA 6/2
HERALD:
Chief Judge Candidates:
http://www.miamiherald.com/884/story/126321.html
http://media.miamiherald.com/smedia/2007/06/01/20/chief_doc.source.prod_affiliate.56.pdf
Bill Gelin
Chief Judge Candidates:
http://www.miamiherald.com/884/story/126321.html
"Four longtime Broward judges -- three with more than 20 years on the bench -- are in the running to become the next chief judge." (I wonder, will a brilliant young leader emerge from the newer crop of judges? Will the young judges take a stand?)
"The Broward County Commission is expected to vote later this year on a downtown site to build a $323 million civil and family courthouse and a $38 million parking garage." (Does anyone out there know if the Chief Judge has any say in how disbursements are made, or contracts rewarded, in relation to the construction and implementation of this massive project? Please add a comment if you have any info.)
http://media.miamiherald.com/smedia/2007/06/01/20/chief_doc.source.prod_affiliate.56.pdf
Bill Gelin
As might be expected Tobin's letter is the only one putting forth any remedial measures or suggestions necessary to deal with any of the problems plaguing the Broward Judiciary. As might also be expected, Speiser's letter promises more of the same inaction and apathy, with an additional listing of his perception of his own achievements to date that would qualify him for the job (Yawn) and a promises of a return to the paleolithic era of self aggrandizement and nonsense as usual. Backman's letter ... Well, it's thankfully brief. I leave it to be decided one of two ways: A vote for someone who obviously is an idea man, who is a well respected outsider of the judicial political game, or, two; a Judicial Political Resident Insider, void of any new ideas or concepts, seeking only to continue to carry the now rather dim torch of Ross' now debunked political regime. And, oh, I almost forgot Lynch. Well, I think everyone knows in which of the two categories he falls.
I agree. Tobin would be the only one to make good on his promises under the circumstances. The issue of TERM LIMITS MUST BE of Paramount Importance in this equation if we are not to repeat the circus of past events. I don't believe I've heard anything about that subject from either Speiser or Backman, and just a blurb from Lynch. All need to go on record regarding that issue before any decision can be made about which direction should be taken. The other judges should insist upon it as a prerequisite to taking the position. After all, this has been by far the largest contributor to the list of blunders witnessed by the public and the media.
Interesting how all the candidates are now talking about change. Any guesses as to who is really sincere about it?
Backman's three references to being out of the country seem a bit excessive. I'm sure the other judges got it the first time around. As to his efforts being hampered by distance; Faxes, Simcard telephone access and undersea cable communications have been available for quite some time, the first undersea telegraph cable being laid in 1865. Ships also have these facilities available at a cost. Keep in touch, Paul.
You forgot to mention email access. Oh, yeah.
I want to know any suggestions Backman may have about improving communications between the various agencies.
Particularly in a letter as short as his. His was as short on specifics as Speiser's was long on his qualifications. Neither of them mention anything about how to fix the problems. Surprise, Surprise
Soon, there may be more then 4 seeking the position, stay tuned.
I fear 'a tone of' more of the same ol same ol in all these letters.
I want the candidate to say, "I will not fear to stand up to Satz", justice within our walls requires it.
I thought voters said no the a new courthouse?
A new topic, briefly:
Does anyone else feel that the "VOP Blitz" was nothing more than a blitz or fasttrac to prison for the majority of the Defendants.
All Speiser can do is still talk about himself. That's all we need more of. What a terrible letter. Did he flunk English or something? What's all the underscoring for? Keep that horse in the stable, it's not track worthy any more.
I heard Gardiner was releasing people time served?
How about just a return to some degree of sanity?
That's why it's called an Institution. Get it
The 5th contender is already seeking suggestions. Smart at last.
Their respective letters tell me all I need to know. All but one speak to nothing but their own vanity. What a world, this Broward County.
If it goes it'll have to be put out for bid. I'm not sure it'll go though.
What everyone on here forgets is that the voters in this election dont want major change. There is only one Judge who does not want to be in the division they are in now. This is why Dale stayed in power as long as he did, he kept the Judges happy.
There will be no regular rotation of Judges and term limits. Lets say Tobin won, enacted term limits and rotation of judges knowing that would aggravate most judges. You think after his term is up he is going put himself in a position to be in Dependency court someday, nope.
You want change, they dont? What real changes besdies a new face in office could happen?
The CJ cant tell the Judges to nolle pross residue cases?
The CJ cant make Satz not file residue or other cases that may not get filed in other place.
The CJ cant make other Judges change the way they sentence people.
The CJ can not unilaterally creat more drug programs, treatment centers etc.
You are not going to change these things without Satz doing so or a successor in that position.
One correction, there most likely be term limits but there will not be term limits and rotation of judges put in place together
I'm not so sure that should we have Tobin for Chief Judge things would not include rotation of judges. If his organizational skills are still as good as when he practiced law, he will bring some great additions and changes to the judiciary. I don't believe he's worried about whether he keeps the judges happy or not. He's the type of man that thinks differently than that which we've had for a long time.
WHy are you saying Satz is the problem?
or maybe so:
you may be right on your assesment of tobin. while those traits may be pleasing to the blog readers we don't vote. to the the judges who are happy where they are, which is all but one, your email clearly shows why they would vote for lynch. blog readers and writers want change in the judiciary but I doubt the judges themselves do.
That would then make everything the judges are saying, or most of them, a sham then?
what have they said otherwise, except for term limits? I have notheard any of them agreed to rotating?
As I understand it, Tobin advocates getting private equity to back a new courthouse. I think this was done in Jacksonville, and Tobin may want to try to make that happen here.
With practicallly no notice, many of us were stuck in Judge Gardiner's courtroom FOR HOURS Friday afternoon. Our clients were supposed to be getting good deals - wrong! All of my clients, as well as those of colleagues, were given no better sentences than they would have received in their home courtrooms. THIS WAS A WASTE OF TIME and seemed to be nothing more than a way for Judge Gardiner to show she's the new boss and can grab other judges' cases out from under them! Yes, I agree it was the fastrack to prison for the clients! Let's hope this experiment is deemed a failure and not repeated!
Comes as no surprise whatever, and only confirming what I have repeatedly stated; She is a fraud and a liar while wearing he "robe of honor" and cannot be trusted to be fair, impartial or honest. That's why Ross picked her to follow in another. similar fraud, ooo-rah, semper-fi Rob Carney.
The judiciary will not support "the blog's position" on term limits for the very reasons stated above.
Like the numb US Citizenry,IRAQ WAR, huge budget deficit spending, executive/congressional stalemate, etc...., it is easier to let one tyrant run the show for another 8 to 12 years.
Remember, the judiciary is "human"; they want to protect their own turf, and are willing to give up some power so they can focus on running without opposition every six years.
Vic is great - I hope Judge DeMorgan can convince his civil brethren to back Vic. Paul Backman would also be a good change - at least the guy gives you a fair trial, and he is already on the JQC. The 10% of the JQC "defendants" should support Paul Backman. He will cover their buts even though he must recuse himself.
Silly question? What has Lynch ever done bad to anyone?
I would imagine, most of the practitioners on here have never gone before him. If you have his is as even tempered and reasonable as they come. It appears the best thing to say against him is that he has been in his position a long time and should have spoke up about the bad things going on around here. Maybe, but that could be said about every judge on the ballot?
What letter?