The “unwritten” rule is now published. Is it still “unwritten”? Judicial races in Montgomery County
Because we have morons running the two local political parties like good-ole-boy clubs, we don’t get primaries for much- and when it comes to judges, the decision is usually made in a back room with the doors closed.
Today, the Dayton Daily news made the mistake of actually writing the truth about our judicial elections:
Usually, sitting common pleas judges in the county run unopposed. But McGee faces her second challenge after being appointed by Gov. Ted Strickland in 2007. McGee defeated Dennis Adkins in a close race in 2008.
Though judicial races are non-partisan, sources say there has been a gentlemen’s agreement in Montgomery County that once a candidate defeats an opponent, the other party waits for the next open position or appointed judge who hasn’t faced a challenge.
via Skelton is McGee’s second challenger for judicial job| Dayton, OH | www.mydaytondailynews.com.
The sad thing is the idea of electing judges is moronic- since most voters can’t tell a good judge from a bad one. Reading legal decisions is about as exciting as watching paint dry- and understanding courthouse management is something only lawyers in town can tell you about.
The party ID doesn’t show up next to their name. They can’t say anything about how they will “judge” since they are bound to follow the law. They can tell you their qualifications- and where they went to school- but that’s about it.
In the McGee vs. Skelton race you are really choosing between 2 Dems. Skelton had voted D forever – and only switched so he could run as a party candidate. When you see a Skelton sign in the front yard of one of the most liberal lawyers in town- that should tell you something.
McGee of course, is the daughter of former Mayor James H. McGee- and married to the Dayton’s chief building inspector, Michael Cromartie. More of the monarchy of Montgomery County. Blaming the former judge for her court backlog 6 years later is a major joke. Most lawyers I’ve spoken to think her court is one of the worst run in the county.
As payback for Skelton running against McGee- the Dems are running the unknown Susan Solle coming out after Denny Adkins- the judge who started the Veterans court- and by all accounts is a pretty solid judge.
This is what happens when you let politicians try to politicize everything- instead of having people running on the merit of their legal skills and abilities, the barricades put up by the parties stop good people from running “until it’s their time”- and then only if they’ve done the proper amount of donkey or elephant kissing.
For judge- Skelton, Adkins and Froelich.
For State Supreme Court- we need some dems on the court- even if they aren’t geniuses- John P. O’Donnell and Tom Letson.
Love this Blog . . . I learn a lot of inside info here. For instance, I’ve had to deal with the City of Dayton’s painfully slow and inept building department for many years. Every builder, developer, and architect knows what a pathetically impotent department this is. Yes, this is the place where it takes 4-6 weeks to get a permit to rebuild a damn residential garage. The one constant during all these years of pathetic “worst in the state” service – Mike Cromartie, chief building official – yes the same guy I’ve had to square off with and win multiple times in appeals at the state, the same guy who has been at the helm all these years making the City of Dayton’s Building Depratment the dread of every contractor in the state. The same guy I JUST LEARNED, WHO IS MARRIED TO McGEE’S DAUGHTER – now it all makes perfect sense. Thank you David for that interesting fact. The odor of Dayton is certainly not coming from Cargill or the Sewer Plant!
The fact that is being missed is that the Republican party targets for defeat minority Judges on the General Division bench. ex. Judge Adele Riley and now Judge McGee. It appears that over $400K will be spent towards their efforts to keep minority representation off of the bench.
Funny think Lee- when Bill Littlejohn wanted to run as a D- he was told to go away. Ran as an R- printed up slate cards to hand out with all the D’s on it- plus him- and handed them out on election day. He won- the D’s screamed bloody murder.
Skelton was a D his entire life. I think the reason McGee is “targeted” is because of her case load and performance. As I said- a very liberal lawyer I know- who avoids politics- has a Skelton sign in his yard.
This isn’t about race- it’s about frustration.
McGee is the most overturned Common Pleas judge in the state. Think about that…
Look at the facts from DDN, June 30, 2012. The DDN did not even check their own work before writing their most recent story.
Montgomery County Common Pleas Judge Gregory Singer was the slowest Montgomery County judge and second slowest in the newspaper’s six-county analysis. He ended the average month last year with 84 open criminal cases, 11 of which have lasted more than six months. This left him with a slow-case rate of 13.1 percent.
Why was Singer not challenged due to his bad numbers? Could it be that he is a white male??
It’s because good lawyers make more money in private practice- and those that want to take a pay cut to be a judge, mostly have to depend on political party support to get elected
The fraternity of our political parties in Montgomery County is disgraceful- and most lawyers steer clear.
There is also fear of retribution against their clients- and their practice- for challenging the system. Figure that 90% of the judges and the County Prosecutor- run their courts with party interests at heart- not the public interest.
Apparently Skelton got his hand slapped for his big red signs- originally SKELTON and JUDGE were big- and FOR was small- making it look like he was a judge. He’s been out putting stickers over that make FOR JUDGE the same size as his name- give or take. If you see one of the old signs- please snap a photo and send it to me.
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