SCHERER WANTS AVALOS REAPPOINTED
DAILY BUSINESS REVIEW
Tuesday's results bring surprise endings
"Cuban American Bar Association President Marlene Quintana said she was “disgusted” by the outcome.
“I don’t know what the motivation is to unseat qualified judges that have integrity and character and have been good to litigants and the attorneys who practiced before them,” she said. “It baffles me.” ...
Prominent Fort Lauderdale attorney and political powerbroker William Scherer echoed the sentiment of the Hispanic Bar leaders.
“Those are the three races that really disappoint me, because those three judges were hardworking, very good judges,” he said. “I hope and trust that in the future we’ll do better, and it does not portend that people with ethnic surnames are going to be knocked off just because of that.”
He said he hopes Avalos is reappointed soon and expressed shock that an unknown lawyer like Richards who mounted no real campaign would be chosen by voters over her.
“Maybe Judge Richards will do a good job on the bench, but who knows,” he said. “We’ll have to learn about him.”
...Miami judicial campaign consultant Steven Ferreiro said the losses in Broward could indicate a sticky future for other Hispanic elected officials in the county. He said the judges appeared to be challenged because of their ethnicity, and he noted it appeared Hispanic voters did not cast ballots in the low-turnout election.
“If you have a low turnout, the Anglo voter dominates” in Broward, Ferreiro said. “They know their rights, and they want to participate in the system. They know their candidates. Hispanics don’t get involved as much.”
Although some bemoan the loss of some of Broward’s few Hispanic judges, others come with diversity as well. Bernie Bober, who led in the three-way race against Dijols, was born in Havana. Ian Richards, who led Avalos in a tight race, is a British-born black attorney."
SENTINEL
Three Hispanic judges trail in their Broward County races
"Ethnic bloc voting may have played a large part: The apparent losers were bested by Jewish and Caribbean-American challengers. But in addition, the defeated judges were all first-term Republican appointees of former conservative Gov. Jeb Bush. Though judicial races are nonpartisan, that may have been a drawback in a heavily Democratic county...
...Bober, though Jewish, was born in Havana, Cuba. Richards, another winner on Tuesday, was born in England to Jamaican parents. Although people with Hispanic surnames have not fared well in Broward elections in recent decades, the reason is more complex than names, said Jim Kane, a local pollster and editor of the Florida Voter newsletter.
For instance, there were few races to draw Republican voters to the polls Tuesday and overall turnout was low, with primarily hard-core Democrats, many of whom are Jewish, casting a disproportionate share of votes, Kane said."
PALM BEACH POST
Wennett/Abramson hatefest down to 15 votes
"At the start of the day, Palm Beach County Circuit Judge Richard Wennett led challenger William Abramson by 18 votes - out of the more than 90,000 cast in the race.
By the end of the day, attorney Abramson took the lead - 15 votes ahead."
Tuesday's results bring surprise endings
"Cuban American Bar Association President Marlene Quintana said she was “disgusted” by the outcome.
“I don’t know what the motivation is to unseat qualified judges that have integrity and character and have been good to litigants and the attorneys who practiced before them,” she said. “It baffles me.” ...
Prominent Fort Lauderdale attorney and political powerbroker William Scherer echoed the sentiment of the Hispanic Bar leaders.
“Those are the three races that really disappoint me, because those three judges were hardworking, very good judges,” he said. “I hope and trust that in the future we’ll do better, and it does not portend that people with ethnic surnames are going to be knocked off just because of that.”
He said he hopes Avalos is reappointed soon and expressed shock that an unknown lawyer like Richards who mounted no real campaign would be chosen by voters over her.
“Maybe Judge Richards will do a good job on the bench, but who knows,” he said. “We’ll have to learn about him.”
...Miami judicial campaign consultant Steven Ferreiro said the losses in Broward could indicate a sticky future for other Hispanic elected officials in the county. He said the judges appeared to be challenged because of their ethnicity, and he noted it appeared Hispanic voters did not cast ballots in the low-turnout election.
“If you have a low turnout, the Anglo voter dominates” in Broward, Ferreiro said. “They know their rights, and they want to participate in the system. They know their candidates. Hispanics don’t get involved as much.”
Although some bemoan the loss of some of Broward’s few Hispanic judges, others come with diversity as well. Bernie Bober, who led in the three-way race against Dijols, was born in Havana. Ian Richards, who led Avalos in a tight race, is a British-born black attorney."
SENTINEL
Three Hispanic judges trail in their Broward County races
"Ethnic bloc voting may have played a large part: The apparent losers were bested by Jewish and Caribbean-American challengers. But in addition, the defeated judges were all first-term Republican appointees of former conservative Gov. Jeb Bush. Though judicial races are nonpartisan, that may have been a drawback in a heavily Democratic county...
...Bober, though Jewish, was born in Havana, Cuba. Richards, another winner on Tuesday, was born in England to Jamaican parents. Although people with Hispanic surnames have not fared well in Broward elections in recent decades, the reason is more complex than names, said Jim Kane, a local pollster and editor of the Florida Voter newsletter.
For instance, there were few races to draw Republican voters to the polls Tuesday and overall turnout was low, with primarily hard-core Democrats, many of whom are Jewish, casting a disproportionate share of votes, Kane said."
PALM BEACH POST
Wennett/Abramson hatefest down to 15 votes
"At the start of the day, Palm Beach County Circuit Judge Richard Wennett led challenger William Abramson by 18 votes - out of the more than 90,000 cast in the race.
By the end of the day, attorney Abramson took the lead - 15 votes ahead."
Does this mean Diaz will be out in 2012? Sure hope so. I understand there are a few potential candidates lining up to trash the guy. He hasn't made very many friends. It's interesting how the bad judges are all watching their backs now.
And in Dade it works the same but in reverse. Hispanic names prevail in Dade over other ethnic names. Is there an outcry there when it happens?
Who give a crap what Scherer wants. Does this guy have as sticky fingers as it sounds. He's not the last word in judicial races. The VOTERS ARE. TAKE BACK BROWARD COUNTY.
Guess what Scherer. Most of your right wing nut judicial picks STINK. Aleman? Or political hijinx/hookups like Stacy Ross? Leave Broward alone already. Too bad your ego can't handle the blow. The voters tossed out your children. Richards supporters are BLACK. Avalos is a state attorney at heart. The people have spoken. Now go away.
Keep it easy to understand for Scherer: The voters clearly indicated that we are sick of incumbent judges that are not properly serving the public. Got it? Now go in your back room and start making phone calls, dummy.
I guess Big Daddy Scherer doesn't love them as much as Avalos. Guess Avalos "Mardi Cohen'd" his daughter better than they did!
HOW MANY BLACK JUDGES DID SCHERER APPOINT? WHY ARE THERE ONLY 4 BLACK JUDGES IN BROWARD?
Broward had the worst voter turnout for this election in years. While it appears your cries of racism have some merit you need to look in the mirror. If all or most of the Broward Hispanics came out to vote and support their own this would not have happened. Despite the horrible press the Blacks came out and reelected Joe Eggletion. Had their not been 2 blacks in the race they would have beaten Rodstrom as well. The real problem is that the hispanics did not come out to support their own candidate.
duh sorry I forgot to mention..
the black commuity aslo rallied behind their own and elected Richards. Look at the numbers for the black districts to the hispanic districts the black voters came out almost 3-1. So Hispanic Leaders fix the problem in your own house before whining about racism
It's a safe bet no one in Scherer's family was ever jailed by Avalos for a traffic offense. She's probably nice to them too, not condescending and rude as she is to the little people.
How this man can comment on the performance of these terrible judges when he never appears before them is beyond the pale. He has no clue and should be ashamed of himself. It's about the community now pal, not your own power anymore. Bush is gone - got it, or do we need to park a red firetruck in front of your house to prove it?
Who died and left this hack in charge. It's the voters who decide numnuts. Didn't this Scherer serve twice on the JNC? Move over and can your opinion. Nobody cares any more.
KEEP ON PUSHING RICHARDS. YOU ARE A HERO!
Scherer and A-Turd should go on a long and intimate vacation together. Some place very far away.
I dont know about Diaz-never appeared in front of the man- but it is not the bad judges that are watching their backs- it is the judges with "bad" surnames
Hard to believe no story about Emmanuel Simon's disbarment. I would imagine if he was an ASA this story would have been reported. Who picks and chooses. Instead we get stories about a palm beach judge.
I don’t know what Marlene Quintana is smoking. I’m so sick of this mentality. I have an idea, why don’t we just take away the Caucasians right to vote???? I mean God. How dare we exercise our right to vote???? The poor disenfranchised Hispanics. Waaa waaaa waaaa. What an ignorant women. Maybe if she spent her time educating her own, they would of come out and voted.
Then the hispanics should run again and have the community come out and vote. In a low voter turn out they have no one to blame but themselves.
Scherer and the rest of back room proliferators are nothing when they aren't hidden behind a door.
They'll get it sooner or later that it's grass roots from here on out, and what can't be done to lessen their influence will be watched very closely.
The voters of Broward have made their decision and don't need Scherer of anyone else to tell them how they went wrong.
This place is like Chicago in the thirties and forties. The less people like Scherer and the rest have to do with judicial politics, the better.
It's not about these political hacks choosing the judges in this town so they can go back and be thrown a favor or two, or three and playing Boss Hog of the Judiciary.
It's about doing what is fair and just and continuing to watch these hogs very closely.
Cry for Pedro Dijols. Or not. If the stunted adolescent had come back he would have been even more out of control. Does anyone believe he could have controlled himself? It would have been retribution time bigtime.
Does Scherer approve of the ad Avalos ran with Richards and her picture? Does it bother him a black man beat her? Does it bother him that the black community votes deleted his ability to control the judiciary?
1?
If he wants someone reappointed it should be Gonzalez. Top poll winner, embraced by State and Defense. Fair. Oh right. Scherer only wants judges to do his buddy Satz's dirty work. My bad.
if Scherer as a lawyer or developer or real estate magnate ever profited from the construction of any of the jails...........
John B. Thompson, Attorney at Law
5721 Riviera Drive
Coral Gables, Florida 33146
305-666-4366
amendmentone@comcast.net
August 28, 2008
The Honorable Peggy Quince
Chief Justice, Florida Supreme Court
500 South Duval Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399 Via Fax to 850-487-4696
Re: Face-to-Face Meeting with the Chief Justice
Dear Chief Justice Quince:
This letter confirms that at 9:30 am today I spoke with your cordial assistant and requested telephonically that we have a meeting, with Florida Bar Counsel Paul Hill present if he wants to be, regarding the illegal act of your Clerk Tom Hall in refusing to accept for filing a $300 filing fee check and a Petition for Writ of Quo Warranto. His bizarre letter in that regard is attached.
The Petition deals with the fact that six of the seven Florida Supreme Court Justices do not have valid state loyalty oaths, as mandated by the US Constitution and by FS 876.05.
As a result of this illegal act by your Clerk, I have filed a declaratory judgment action in federal court against your court and against your Clerk, Tom Hall, Case No. 08-22378, Southern District of Florida.
Since your kind assistant promised me that she would email you my request for a meeting, please advise of same at your earliest convenience. I trust she will email you tis as well.
I grew up in a day and in a country in which difficult problems were best resolved and more likely to be resolved in face-to-face meetings. That is the way it has been; that is the way it will always be.
Please advise, as this treatment of me by the Court and by your Clerk as if I were some criminal has got to stop. I’m a citizen of the United States with a right of access to our courts for the purpose of petitioning the government for a redress of grievances.
Regards, Jack Thompson
Did you forget once again, Jack, that you need to have an attorney in good standing file that Petition for Writ of Quo Warranto for you? She was well within her rights to refuse it.
Oh, I forgot, the rules don't apply to you, because you're Christian...
This election is hereby dedicated to Hursey, Gillespie, Francois and Richards.
Maybe the reason no Hispanics turned out to vote for their candidates is because the "minority" judges convicted all their "fellow" minorities. They can't vote as convicted felons. What has a minority Broward judge ever done to help minority communities anyway? Buy a big house in the suburbs?
Hi Jack,
you might be able to spell grammar, if your tin foil hat is put on correctly, but apparently you can not spell "this" or did Mr. Gelin misspell it for you? Again Jack you failed to mention your 60 minutes appearance, your book, the radical gays, the reverse vampires, the US marshals, people taking bribes, the porn industry, black cats, tap water, the neighbor's dog, or the color purple. But good job bringing back the loyalty oath part. Also Jack if you want to file a petition for writ of quo warranto, all you need is for another lawyer in good standing with the bar to sign it.
Problem is, I don't think he could find a credible attorney to sign/file it for him...
She was not only within her rights but she was doing her job as she was supposed.
No other place to put this, but Crist just named Canady to the FSC.
Jahkan Focough.
"I’m a citizen of the United States with a right of access to our courts for the purpose of petitioning the government for a redress of grievances."
Correction: You are a citizen whose right of access to the court has been sanctioned due to your abuse of the courts and failure to follow due process. All you have to do is follow the rules and your petitions will be heard. We can't expect you to do that though, it's your ignoring of the rules that has led to these sanctions against you in the first place.
At any rate, the only grievances you have is that you are angry that at long last people have had enough of your threats, insults and unprofessional behaviour and are finally taking you to task over it.
"Please advise, as this treatment of me by the Court and by your Clerk as if I were some criminal has got to stop."
We already HAVE advised you Jack. Get another attorney to sign your petitions/baseless writs/rants/threats/etc. and they will be accepted. Don't be surprised however if you find it very, very difficult to find an attorney who is still in good standing with the bar and at the same time is dumb enough to approve the garbage you want to send to the courts.
The martyr card you keep playing is getting tired at this stage Jack. Trying to blame and attack others instead of being a man and taking responsibility for your mistakes and unprofessional behaviour is pretty disgusting. You claim to have grown up in a day and country where problems were best resolved by facing them. Why then do you consistently refuse to face your unprofessional behaviour, refuse to face your disregard for and breaking of bar rules, and most cowardly of all, refuse to face the consequences of your actions? Facing problems is only the answer when it's beneficial for you it seems.
@Jack Thompson:
I had no idea that the Chief Justice, like the Pope, could make themselves available for private, ex parte audiences with litigants. If granted such an audience, are you required to therein kneel, genuflect, and kiss her ring?
@Bill Gelin:
If you continue to insert misspellings into my posts, I'll . . . sue you!!
Yew Phat Kok
For all cheering Ian Richards' victory earlier this week...wait until January before hailing the conquering hero.
What did you actually get?
You traded in someone with a dozen years experience as a lawyer for someone with just over 5 years -- 2.5 as an ASA before he washed out IN MIAMI and about 3 years in a floundering sole practice in Miami.
Has he practiced here in Broward? Nope.
Does he have any real ties to this community? Nope.
Before he ran for election, could you have picked him out of a lineup (no pun intended) of attorneys who come into the courthouse about 2x a year? Nope.
So congrats on this "victory for Broweird" for the next few months.
We will reap what we have sown in January when we get a lawyer who has a chip on his shoulder and will be compensating for his feelings of inadequacy by having the worst Robitis of anyone on the bench.
HAS THERE EVER BEEN A LAWYER WITH 5 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WHO HAD THE WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE AND LIFE EXPERIENCE TO BE A JUDGE???
Would you pick any 5 year ASA and make them a judge?
Would you pick any 5 year ASA washout who couldn't hack it in private practice and make them a judge?
Well congratulations Broweird, you just did.
God save us all from the horror. One can only hope that Vic makes him the roving traffic magistrate judge instead of putting him somewhere that he can do real damage.
Just thinking about him screwing up people's lives in DV, or trying to handle civil cases (oh the horror), or sentencing people to lengthy BCJ sentences is making me throw up a little in my mouth.
I don't care if he is black, hispanic, chinese, anglo, jewish, or whatever (although I would be even more afraid if he were a 5-year son of a sitting judge). THERE ARE NO 5 YEAR ATTORNEYS QUALIFIED TO BE JUDGES.
lol, though remember the real Jack can't spell misspellings. It is beyond him, like most 5th grade volcabulary and grammar (sorry 'grammer' in Jack's spelling
"Guess Avalos "Mardi Cohen'd" his daughter better than they did!"
Ha Ha!
Hey, Jack. I saw this lawsuit of yours coming a mile away too. Waaay back when you were sanctioned from the FSC.
Do I win?
Schere appointed Elijah Williams. Who by the way is hunkered down somewhere in Broward. Where we do not know.
LOL!!!! That is so true!